Zimbabwe Travel Security

Zimbabwe is experiencing a great deal of political turmoil, leaving the security situation unpredictable and volatile. Conditions could deteriorate without warning, in the wake of recent contentious presidential and parliamentary elections.

President Mugabe lost the first round of the presidential election in March 2008, and his party lost its majority in parliament for the first time in 28 years. However, he won his sixth term in office in a run-off in June after the only challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai, pulled out. Tsvangirai charged that a free and fair election was not possible because of violent attacks on his supporters.

Sporadic violence and unrest related to political harassment are common, with arrests of human-rights activists and seizures of private businesses and farms ongoing. Other contributing factors to the political tensions include hyperinflation; food, water and fuel shortages; a crumbling economy; and a significant increase in crime. For these reasons, the country's risk rating has been set at 9.

People who decide to visit despite the hazards should maintain high security awareness at all times. Avoid becoming involved in political activity, especially political demonstrations and protests, even if you must go out of your way to do so.

Register with your embassy on arrival and get up-to-date local advice before traveling to any rural areas. Because of the unstable security situation, you should avoid independent travel such as backpacking and use only organized tour operators to well-established tourist sites.

High-risk Areas

Avoid high-density, low-income, urban suburbs because of the high crime rates. Visitors to Nyanga should avoid Pungwe Falls, Mterazi Falls and the Honde Falls, where increased levels of crime have been reported.

Robert Mugabe played a key role in ending white rule in Rhodesia and he and his Zanu-PF party have dominated Zimbabwe's politics since independence in 1980. Ideologically, Mugabe belongs to the African liberationist tradition of the 1960s--favoring strong, ruthless leadership; suspicious of capitalism and the West; and zealously intolerant of dissent and opposition. When he was elected president he vowed not to leave power until all land is in the hands of the majority black population, and in 2000, amid a torrent of anti-white threats and rhetoric, his government implemented a far-reaching resettlement program.

Nearly all large-scale commercial farms, which were mostly white-owned, were designated for seizure without fair compensation. Many farmers and their families were forced to abandon their homes and property. In the process, Zanu-PF supporters and war veterans, with material support from the government, killed, abducted, tortured, beat, abused, raped and threatened farm owners and their workers. The widespread disruption of production on these farms exacerbated an already-dire food shortage.

More eviction notices were handed down in May 2007, and the owners were warned that they would be arrested if they resisted. War veterans also briefly occupied or otherwise disrupted operations at factories and businesses, both locally and internationally owned, in Harare and other urban areas. These war veterans didn't target foreign visitors for violence, but there were sporadic cases of harassment of foreigners.

The possibility still exists that visitors could be affected by unanticipated violence. Stay away from any occupied commercial farms and avoid rural areas where war veterans are active.

Political opposition has grown, but Zimbabwe's government has a tight grip on power. Mugabe has stomped on free speech and the judiciary and brutally repressed the political opposition led by Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change. Earlier presidential and legislative elections were condemned as fraudulent by the MDC and Western governments but were given tacit approval by most African nations. The size of the Zanu-PF win in 2005 parliamentary elections enabled Mugabe to change the constitution, paving the way for the creation of an upper house of parliament, the Senate.

In the disputed March 2008 legislative elections the combined opposition won 110 seats against Zanu-PF's 97--the MDC took 99. Mugabe now appears determined to gain back the majority for Zanu-PF by any means necessary. Along with contesting the results in court, nine lawmakers from Tsvangirai's camp have been arrested or abducted since the first round of voting.

South African President Thabo Mbeki has tried to mediate. and both sides have said that they wanted to talk but their positions appear irreconcilable. The MDC insists that it will not participate in any negotiations unless violence stops, political prisoners are released, those who have fled violence are repatriated and humanitarian assistance is allowed to resume. It has rejected the idea of a government of national unity, but advocates a transitional administration based on the results of the first round of voting leading toward fresh elections. Mugabe, for his part, insists that the opposition recognize his flawed re-election as president.

A plan floated by Mbeki before the presidential run-off, which would leave Mugabe as a ceremonial head of state and give the opposition executive power, also appears to have little chance of success. Tsvangirai now has refused to negotiate further through Mbeki, preferring a full-time mediator from the African Union.

Nevertheless, on 21 July 2008, after the A.U. and U.N. joined the South African mediation effort, Mugabe and Tsvangirai held their first meeting in a decade. They signed a deal outlining a framework for talks on the crisis. The MDC said future talks would remain conditional on a complete cessation of violence and the release of all political prisoners. On 25 August 2008, as power sharing talks remained deadlocked, the MDC's candidate was elected speaker of parliament--the first opposition speaker since the country's independence.

International opinion is also divided. Western nations have heavily criticized the elections, saying that they would not accept the legitimacy of Mugabe's new government. Targeted sanctions and an arms embargo were expected to be proposed at the U.N. Security Council but are likely to be rejected by Russia and China. Some African countries, such as Zambia, Botswana and Nigeria, also condemned the elections but most, including South Africa, have rejected sanctions for fear they could lead to a civil war in Zimbabwe.

In the meantime, political violence shows no sign of abating. According to the MDC, at least 100 activists have been killed since the March 2008 elections. Dozens of opposition supporters are still missing, and 1,500 or so remain behind bars. Armed militias attacked two camps near Harare where people fleeing the violence had taken refuge after seeking shelter in the South African embassy. War veterans were mobilized to intimidate those in rural areas who had backed the opposition--hundreds of farm workers reportedly fled their homes after being beaten.

Commentators in South Africa have warned that government violence against MDC supporters has triggered a parallel emergence of retaliatory violence which, though still covert, appears to be gradually acquiring a more structured and programmed form.

Zimbabwe is continuing to face its worst economic crisis since independence. Mugabe's economic policies have been widely seen as being geared to short-term political expediency and the maintenance of power for himself. The country's once-model economy has been on a downturn for the past eight years, characterized by more than 80% unemployment, runaway inflation, and perennial shortages of foreign currency and commodities. Even basic food products such as bread and cooking oil are scarce.

In September 2007, the government devalued the currency as part of its battle to tackle the deepening economic crisis. By April 2008, however, the country's annual inflation rate was running at 100,000%--the highest in the world--and the government had begun suggesting another new currency could be in the wind.

Direct foreign investment has declined by 99% in the past three years, and most people now rely on remittances from some of the 4 million Zimbabweans living abroad. In October 2007, the government approved a parliamentary bill to allow nationals a majority stake in foreign-owned firms--a move the opposition warned could further batter the economy.

Domestic terrorism

In March 2007, a passenger train headed from Harare to Bulawayo was attacked with gasoline bombs and tear gas; several people were injured. This incident was the third gasoline-bomb attack reported by police in a month of escalating political violence and the second in which police alleged that tear gas was used. Three police officers were reported to have been injured in an attack on a police station in Harare a week earlier. The authorities blamed all the attacks on suspected opposition activists.

Border and regional issues

Botswana has built electric fences, and South Africa has placed security forces along the border to stem the flow of thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and to escape political persecution.

Civil unrest

Famine and the crumbling economy have sparked dissatisfaction with Mugabe's policies; this has led to protests and demonstrations that often have turned violent, with police retaliating harshly. In March 2007, one person was shot dead and a number of people were injured at a peaceful prayer meeting in Harare.

There have been strikes to protest, among other issues, food and fuel shortages and slum demolitions. Economists, however, have said that it is difficult to make strikes effective, because only about 800,000 of Zimbabwe's 12 million people have jobs in the formal sector. More than 4 million people have emigrated, and 500,000 have lost their jobs during eight years of unprecedented economic decline in Zimbabwe.

Many doctors and nurses at state-run hospitals, teachers and air traffic controllers have abandoned their jobs despite government attempts to force them to stay on. Because of rampant inflation rates, wages are not keeping pace with the cost of living.

Register with your embassy immediately upon arrival. Monitor local media for updates on the situation in the country and avoid all demonstrations or other large public gatherings, especially if they appear political in nature. If violence or rioting breaks out near your location, attempt to go to your consulate. If you can't get to the consulate, return to your hotel or take shelter in a large public building such as a hotel, museum, hospital or department store, then contact the consulate by phone. Avoid government buildings and police stations, which may serve as a focus for public anger. In your hotel, resist the temptation to watch unrest--stay away from windows and keep the drapes closed.

Human-rights abuses

In its May 2008 report, Amnesty International said that the human-rights situation in Zimbabwe was continuing to deteriorate, especially in a context of escalating poverty.

The government continues to obstruct humanitarian efforts by the U.N. and by local and international nongovernmental organizations; police are accused of torturing human-rights defenders in custody. Since 2004, international human-rights groups have been banned from working in the country, thereby forcing them to close down. Critics claimed that the legislation was one of many attempts by Mugabe to muzzle his opponents.

In April 2007, the badly beaten body of a Zimbabwean cameraman abducted by armed men from his home in Harare was found by the side of a road some 30 mi/50 km away. The reason for his killing was not clear, but there were concerns it was linked to smuggling news footage out of Zimbabwe. The man was a free-lance cameraman who had worked at the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and had links with the opposition MDC. Colleagues said the murder was either a message to the media or a political killing.

Government security forces have been accused of systematic violence against opposition politicians and human-rights activists. The behavior of police or military personnel is not always predictable. They are reported to have committed extrajudicial killings.

The government agreed to ease its tough security and media laws after December 2007 talks among the ruling Zanu-PF party and the two opposition MDC factions that were brokered by South African President Thabo Mbeki. Under the changes, the police must give reasons for banning a rally, and a magistrate can be asked to overturn a ban.

Nonetheless in April 2008, Human Rights Watch accused Zanu-PF of "using a network of informal detention centers to beat, torture, and intimidate opposition activists and ordinary Zimbabweans."

Land mines and unexploded ordnance

At least seven areas containing land mines are known and marked. Others may exist. Always check with local authorities about land-mine dangers before heading out of populated areas.

In destinations with areas that have been contaminated with land mines or unexploded ordnance, never pick up any unidentified metal or plastic object. Report any finds to local authorities. Exercise caution around construction areas, as mines or ordnance could be uncovered during excavation. Travelers should be accompanied or briefed by guides familiar with mined areas. To the extent possible, remain on well-traveled roads, tracks and paths. Under no circumstances should you enter an area marked as mined.

Additional information

In a move to reduce foreign influences, the government revoked the licenses of all aid groups operating in the country in April 2007, claiming members of such groups were engaged in attempts at "regime change."

Airlines are required to turn over passenger lists to security authorities, and police have constructed "holding cells" at Harare's airport to detain any suspects.

The decline in the economic situation, combined with high rates of unemployment and food and gasoline shortages countrywide, has led to a rise in criminal activity. The use of edged weapons and firearms in connection with crimes has increased.

Harare, the capital, has experienced a surge in serious crimes; the downtown area should be avoided to the extent possible. Travel in groups of at least three or four people, especially if you must be out at night.

Petty crime

Criminals operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls in Harare, in major tourist areas such as Victoria Falls, and at airports and railway and bus stations. Cell phones often are targeted for theft. Watch your luggage when making calls from public phones.

When not in use, valuables such as passports, money, jewelry and credit cards should be kept in hotel safes. Don't carry large sums of money or multiple credit cards while shopping and be cautious when leaving banks and ATMs. Credit-card fraud has increased significantly recently.

Be alert to "smash and grabs," in which thieves break windows of a car stopped for a traffic light and then grab items from the car seats. Such incidents are becoming more common in the greater Harare metropolitan area.

At all times, car doors should be locked and windows rolled up. Handbags, wallets and other items should be stored on the floorboard or in the trunk. Leave enough space between your vehicle and surrounding ones so that you can maneuver if necessary.

Hold bags and purses securely or carry them in an inside pocket, making sure the openings are fastened; keep the openings turned toward you and away from any passers-by. Don't carry a bag with a long strap, as such straps are easier for a thief to grab. Don't wear expensive watches or jewelry, and don't display large amounts of cash; take care with electronic equipment. If you're carrying a cell phone, take care to safeguard it, as mobile phones are highly coveted by thieves in many places. Keep car doors and windows closed and locked.

Violent crime

Street crime and rape have increased significantly. The downtown sector of Harare remains the most visible high-crime area--thieves act with impunity and with little fear of police apprehension. Foreign nationals may be targeted, especially when traveling to and from the airport, because they're perceived to be wealthy.

Muggings typically follow a pattern in which a group of young males will swarm around and overwhelm their victim in a public area. If you're alert, you may be able to observe such a situation developing and take evasive action.

Carjackings have been reported in which oil or silicon is sprayed on a windshield in order to force the driver to stop. Such attacks have been particularly prevalent in Bulawayo. If confronted, hand over the vehicle without resistance.

In the event of a flat tire, drive to a service station for assistance. Be cautious of anyone offering to assist with changing a tire, which may have been deliberately punctured in order to stop the car.

To reduce the risk of carjacking, avoid driving alone, especially at night. Keep an eye on persons and vehicles in the vicinity of your vehicle at all times, particularly when stopped at intersections or crosswalks. When driving, try to stay near the center lanes when possible. Always try to leave sufficient maneuvering room between your car and the cars beside and in front of you, especially when stopping in traffic. Check your rear-view mirror regularly to ensure you are not being followed. If you are, do not return to your hotel/residence. Proceed instead to a public place such as the front of a hotel or a police station; get out of the vehicle and seek assistance. Keep your windows rolled up and doors locked at all times. If you encounter a roadblock that does not appear to be manned by uniformed police or you notice a disturbance on the road ahead, turn around and use an alternate route. To minimize the chance of being trapped by a car pulling up behind you, do not pull into a driveway. Be prepared to drive away if you notice persons approaching your vehicle. Plan before you start your trip where you will go to seek assistance if a car attempts to block you or if you are prevented from reaching your destination.

To reduce the risk of sexual assault, it's important to remain aware of your surroundings and the people around you--if a place or situation doesn't feel safe, leave. Keep your wits about you and don't dull your senses with alcohol or drugs. Don't walk alone in deserted areas, especially after dark. Park your car in well-lit areas. Do not enter a taxi that contains other passengers and do not allow your driver to pick up additional passengers. Don't accept food or drinks from strangers--they could be drugged. Never pick up hitchhikers or accept a ride from a stranger. Ask a female employee at your hotel what neighborhoods to avoid. In your hotel, do not give clues to your gender or vulnerability by leaving food trays outside your door. Check with the hotel to verify the identity of employees who come to your room. Do not enter your room if anyone is loitering nearby in the hall.

Police effectiveness

The government has refocused law-enforcement efforts toward suppression of political opposition rather than crime prevention or investigation. Police have virtually no ability to respond to emergencies because they lack funds for fuel or equipment. It's nearly always necessary to transport police to the scene in order to have a report taken.

Wild animals could pose a threat to humans. Exercise caution.

Flooding

Seasonal rains can cause flooding. In December 2007, several dozen people reportedly died as swollen rivers washed away traditional mud-and-pole-built village homes in remote areas of the country. Storms made roads impassable and swept away low bridges in the Chamakarara River near the southern town of Masvingo, 190 mi/300 km from Harare.

Animals

Zimbabwe has an overpopulation of elephants. There are 100,000 elephants in national parks that have a capacity of 45,000, and the animals are straying into populated areas. In March 2007, two British tourists were killed by an elephant in Hwange National Park.

Health care in Zimbabwe has been particularly hard-hit by the country's economic crisis. Many medical staffers have left the country, and the lack of foreign exchange has caused serious shortages of medical supplies. The public health system has frequently come to a halt as nurses and doctors walk out on strike amid demands for wages increase.

Medical facilities

Conditions at hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo are inadequate; conditions in medical facilities elsewhere have been described as "terrible." Some hospitals are operating with only half the necessary staff members. Patients endure long waits because of understaffing, and there are critical shortages of essential drugs, vaccines and medical supplies.

Private clinics will treat only patients who can pay on the spot, and medical costs can be high. With the introduction of ox-drawn ambulances to rural regions, opposition-party members complained that Zimbabwe's medical facilities were returning to the stone ages.

Emergency care

Emergency-treatment facilities are very limited, and it is almost impossible to access even basic or emergency treatment without first providing large cash payments. You also may need to provide your own supplies; in August 2008, local media reported that patients with broken bones were being asked to provide plaster for casts.

Be sure to obtain comprehensive insurance coverage that includes medical evacuation.

Diseases

Zimbabwe has one of the world's highest HIV/AIDS infection rates. About 20% of the adult population is infected. Safe-sex practices are essential.

Malaria is prevalent in many parts of the country, particularly in low-lying border areas, including the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and parts of the Eastern Highlands. If you intend to travel outside Harare, seek medical advice about antimalaria preventives.

An ongoing outbreak of cholera has resulted in several deaths in the districts of Chikomba, Chivhu and Buhera.

Since January 2007, the city's biggest sewage-treatment plant has frequently broken down, forcing the water authority to discharge the city's raw sewage into the Mukuvisi River. No conclusive link to the treatment plant has been found, but an ongoing series of outbreaks of E. coli and diarrhea in other parts of the country has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, mostly children.

Since November 2007, refuse in Bulawayo has been collected only once a month, leading to fears that piles of garbage would cause an increase in rats and the diseases that they carry, such as plague.

Mosquitoes carry many serious illnesses, including dengue fever, malaria and West Nile virus. To prevent bites and avoid infection, reduce the amount of exposed skin by wearing long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes when you're outdoors. Use insect repellent containing deet on exposed skin. Avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn, the time when mosquitoes are most active.

Waterborne diseases can cause a variety of serious health problems, including cholera, norovirus and amebiasis. In areas where chlorinated water is not available or where hygiene and sanitation are generally poor, you should consider both liquid water and ice unsafe. Stick to the following, which generally are considered safe: Beverages made with boiled water, such as tea and coffee; canned or bottled carbonated beverages; beer; and wine. It's usually safer to drink beverages directly from the bottle or can, but be sure to wipe off any water on the outside of the container. In areas where water may be contaminated, avoid brushing your teeth with tap water.

Additional information

The World Health Organization has reported that Zimbabweans have the shortest life expectancy in the world, 34 for women and 37 for men. Poverty and HIV/AIDS are to blame.

Because of the unsettled political situation and crime, travel in Zimbabwe can be hazardous, especially in rural areas.

The danger of transport accidents is heightened by the dire condition of the country's health-care system.

Road conditions

Roads and traffic-control devices such as stoplights are deteriorating, as is the condition of vehicles. Large potholes and poor lighting are among the hazards. Enforcement of traffic laws is nearly nonexistent. Exercise caution when driving at night, as pedestrians (in dark clothing) and animals walk on the poorly lit roads. Vehicles often have no headlights or taillights.

Those planning to travel by road in this region over the next few days should fuel their vehicles as soon as possible and refill tanks frequently. Plan your movements based on the assumption that gasoline may not be available at all times in all places.

Public transportation

Intercity commuter-bus travel, except by "luxury coaches," is dangerous because of passenger overloading, inadequate maintenance, and drivers who fail to obey traffic rules or regulations or who may be fatigued after driving for long periods without resting. In March 2007, a crowded bus collided with a freight train in Harare, killing 27 people, including the bus driver, and seriously injuring several more.

Zimbabwe is experiencing serious nationwide fuel shortages to the extent that even public bus services have halted because of a lack of fuel. Carefully assess the fuel situation before setting out on long-distance journeys and keep fuel tanks full to the extent possible.

Authorities reported recently that the famous Victoria Falls Bridge needs reinforcement and could be dangerous. The bridge carries a railway, a road and a footpath; it is a popular tourist destination, as well as one of the world's highest bungee-jumping spots. Experts are examining the bridge to determine how it could be reinforced or reconstructed.

Avoid rail travel, as the system is poorly maintained and suffers from numerous accidents. A series of gasoline-bomb attacks in March 2007 added to the hazards of train travel in Zimbabwe.

Air travel

Aviation authorities have reported that Harare International Airport is in serious need of repairs to its runway, ground lighting and approach systems. At the end of October 2007, British Airways, the only international foreign airline still flying to Zimbabwe, ceased operations to Harare. Remaining flights into and out of Harare are severely affected by fuel shortages.

Like the rest of the country, Zimbabwe's airports also suffer from a lack of electricity. Harare International Airport relies on a generator during power cuts.

Since the end of 2007, the airport has lacked electricity with increasing frequency. This impacts its ability to light the runway and provide air traffic control facilities. It also results in considerable delays, especially at night, to disembarkation, immigration and luggage collection. Take this into consideration when booking flights that arrive or depart after daylight hours.

Numerous game reserves and lodges around the country have closed because of the presence of war veterans on or near their properties, or they have suffered bankruptcy amid the deteriorating economy. Reconfirm all lodging arrangements immediately before departure for Zimbabwe.

Since 2006, power shortages have forced Zimbabwe's electricity supplier to make frequent power cuts in its two biggest cities--Harare, the capital, and the city of Bulawayo. In October 2007, the central business district in the capital had no power or electricity for a week, and other districts were dark for up to 10 days.

The country continues to experience nationwide fuel shortages that obstruct in-country travel. Because of lack of fuel, sometimes there is only one fire engine in operation.

The overall situation has worsened in 2008. Increasing numbers of Zimbabweans are fleeing to neighboring countries, such as South Africa, causing problems in those countries. In addition to problems with fuel supply, there are shortages of many day-to-day goods and foodstuffs.

Because of confusion about the issuance of new currency notes, check with your travel agent and local authorities to make sure your money exchanges are made with valid currency. Avoid street-level money-changers, who may stick you with obsolete notes.

No matter how safe you perceive a destination to be, it's important to use good judgment.

• Pay attention to local media.
• Avoid open displays of wealth, jewelry or other valuables. Safeguard travel documents such as passports and airline tickets.
• Avoid confrontations with locals.
• Avoid demonstrations and protests, especially if they appear political in nature.
• Don't permit people you don't know to enter your accommodations. Keep your door locked. Don't leave valuables in your room unless they can be locked in a safe.
• Avoid illegal drugs, and don't drink alcohol if its use is prohibited. Even if drinking is legal, don't overindulge.
• Be cautious of unsolicited offers of assistance from strangers.

In recent years, political terrorism has become a global phenomenon - an attack could occur with little warning anywhere in the world, even in destinations long regarded as safe. Travelers should keep themselves informed of developments that could affect their safety, no matter what their destination.