Zimra ordered to stop 100 percent body search

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority board has ordered its workers manning borders and International Airports to stop conducting body searches on travellers and tourists visiting the country. Zimra board chairman Mr Sternford Moyo yesterday said they were disturbed by reports that Zimra officials were harassing visitors and locals returning into the country.

"The board of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority does not believe that there is any justification for indiscriminate searching of all travellers or for the associated delays, humiliation and inconvenience reported on in the media recently. The board is committed to the observance by the authority of its obligation to act lawfully, fairly and reasonably at all times."

Following complaints by the public, the board issued an instruction to the authority calling upon it to observe the obligation to act lawfully, fairly and reasonably at all times. The board emphasised that law enforcement should not be allowed to degenerate into harassment of the people.

"Any practice, which is abusive of the rights of the public is alien and unacceptable to the board of the authority. The board does not condone any form of harassment of travellers or members of the public requiring service from the authority. Members of the public subjected to harassment, unfair or unreasonable treatment are requested to report such conduct to the commissioner for customs or indeed to any of the commissioners at Zimbabwe Revenue Authority."

People with queries were asked to contact the authority's headquarters on 6th Floor, Intermarket Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue/First Street, Harare. Telephone Numbers +263 4 790811 or Fax No. 773161.

They can also contact Mr Moyo on 13th Floor, CABS Centre, 74 Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare. His telephone numbers 702561-8 or 799636-42.

On Thursday the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry expressed outrage over the harassment of travellers saying it affected tourist arrivals.