Zimbabwe Country Travel Advice Report - ASU Global Education Office
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Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Travel Advice Report
Zimbabwe
Overall Risk Rating: High | 4.00
Drum Cussac Group Limited Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Contents
Country Risk Rating Breakdown ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Country Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Security
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Political
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Infrastructural
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Environmental
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Medical
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Fact Box ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Travel Risk Advice ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Threat Scale Reference ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Drum Cussac Group Limited 2 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Risk Rating Breakdown
Country Overall Risk Rating High | 4.00
Security Environmental Infrastructural Political Medical
Moderate - High | 3.50 Moderate | 3.25 Moderate - High | 3.50 High | 4.25 High | 4.25
Drum Cussac Group Limited 3 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services Country Overview High | 4.00 Zimbabwe entered a new political age following the resignation of President Robert Mugabe in November 2017 after 37 years in power. However, former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was subsequently appointed as the country’s new leader, has faced significant challenges in reversing years of financial mismanagement and invasive government policy which culminated in hyperinflation and the collapse of the economy. Mnangagwa has also to contend with tensions within the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), with a number of younger party officials and activists remaining loyal to Mugabe's wife and would-be successor Grace Mugabe. Mnangagwa and the ZANU-PF won the country's first elections in the post-Mugabe era in July 2018, retaining a strong majority in parliament. However, the presidential election, which Mnangagwa won much more narrowly than the legislative polls, was tainted by allegations of electoral irregularities from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and deadly violence on the streets of Harare. While historically well-developed, Zimbabwe’s infrastructure has suffered from years of neglect and much is now in a state of disrepair, with electricity and communications infrastructure being significantly impacted by the country's economic crisis. Urban areas and major national roads are more developed than rural routes, but driving conditions are hazardous, particularly during the rainy season. Both violent and non-violent crime is common in Zimbabwe and has been on the rise in recent years as the country faces a deteriorating economic situation characterised by a broad collapse of the formal economic sector. Thieves are known to operate across the country's urban centres, particularly in crowded areas. However, police resources and response capabilities are generally limited and officers have a low capacity to respond to specific criminal incidents. Unrest also occurs with some frequency in Zimbabwe, particularly in Harare, Bulawayo and other major urban centres, over a range of political, economic and labour issues. Demonstrations, particularly those organised by the opposition, have often been aggressively dispersed by security forces with the use of batons, tear gas and live fire. Security Moderate - High | 3.50 Overview Zimbabwe has faced sporadic civil unrest over the past two years as the country struggles to cope with a deteriorating economy, high unemployment, shortages of basic goods and mounting opposition to the ruling ZANU-PF. Many of these demonstrations, particularly those organized by the opposition, have been met by an aggressive response from security forces including the use of batons, tear gas and live fire. The resignation of long-ruling leader Robert Mugabe has appeased large segments of the population and reduced the frequency of large-scale demonstrations in the capital, but grievances over underlying socio-economic problems and political disputes persist. Levels of violent and non-violent criminal activity are high in Zimbabwe and have been increasing in recent years due to deteriorating economic conditions, with foreign travelers occasionally being targeted due to their perceived relative wealth. Levels of criminal activity are generally higher in the country's main urban centers but carjackings and other incidents do occur with some frequency in rural areas. Police resources and response capabilities are generally limited and officers have a low capacity to respond to specific criminal incidents. Political High | 4.25 Overview Zimbabwe's political landscape underwent a seismic shift in November 2017, with Robert Mugabe being forced to step down after 37 years as president after his attempts to position his wife Grace as his successor triggered a backlash from the ruling party and the military. Mugabe's ouster came amid mounting public anger over years of dire economic conditions and the restrictive political environment in the run-up to elections in 2018. The long-time president was replaced by his former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had originally been seen as his likely successor before falling out with the president over the position of Grace Mugabe. Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF won the country's first elections in the post-Mugabe era in July 2018, retaining a strong majority in parliament. However, the presidential election, which Mnangagwa won much more narrowly than the legislative polls, was tainted by allegations of electoral irregularities from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa, who claimed to have won the presidency. Corruption is endemic in Zimbabwe and affects all levels of government and the civil service in the country. Despite a history of limited rule of law, characterized by impunity for security forces and political interference in the judiciary, courts have demonstrated increased independence since 2015, ruling against the state on several occasions. Drum Cussac Group Limited 4 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services Zimbabwe has been the subject of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities by the United States and the European Union since the controversial 2002 presidential election. These sanctions remain in place but there have been suggestions that some could be lifted following the 2018 general election. The country has also struggled with currency instability since massive hyperinflation forced the government to abandon the Zimbabwean Dollar in 2009. The government subsequently relied on a mixture of foreign currencies, including the US dollar, South African rand and GB pound, as well as domestically printed bond notes, officially pegged to the US dollar. However, a serious foreign exchange shortage in recent years saw the value of the bond notes crash on the black market and the government decided to abandon its dollar parity in February 2019, introducing a new 'RTGS dollar' with a market-set exchange rate. The transition to the RTGS dollar has not been smooth and prices for many goods, where available, have continued to fluctuate. In general, the US dollar has remained the most stable form of payment in the country. However, in June 2019, President Mnangagwa announced that all foreign currencies, including the US dollar, GB pound and South African rand, would cease to be accepted in the country, leaving the RTGS dollar as the only legal tender. Infrastructural Moderate - High | 3.50 Overview The regulatory oversight of Zimbabwe's aviation industry is believed to be in line with international standards. However, domestic air travel tends to be subject to regular disruption and Air Zimbabwe, the country's national carrier, has been banned from operating in the European Union due to concerns over the airline's adherence to international safety standards. Overland travel also poses a number of risks linked to poor road conditions and erratic driving by some local road users. Zimbabwe's infrastructure has suffered due to the economic crisis and the country has a relatively low electrification rate, with many areas being subject to regular outages. The government has also struggled to develop the country's telecommunications infrastructure in recent years, with little improvement in internet accessibility and speed and reliable mobile network coverage being limited to a handful of major urban centers. Environmental Moderate | 3.25 Overview Zimbabwe's climate varies across the country with the center and north generally being more humid than the semi-arid south and west. The country experiences a warm rainy season from November to March and a cooler dry season between April and October. Zimbabwe is also located in a seismically active region and experiences occasional earthquakes, particularly along its northern border with Zambia. However, earthquakes have typically been of moderate intensity and generally do not cause significant damage or casualties. The country is also prone to significant flooding during the rainy season. Conversely, periodic droughts have often had a significant impact on food security. Medical High | 4.25 Overview Zimbabwe is prone to outbreaks of a number of diseases including malaria, chikungunya, measles and cholera. Although adequate medical facilities can be found in Harare and Bulawayo, personnel shortages, high costs and an absence of specialists mean that medical evacuations are often required for many procedures. Pharmaceutical supplies are erratic and the country is prone to shortages, with a crippling effect on public hospitals. Municipal water sources are often unreliable and prone to contamination, and while international-standard hotels maintain clean sources, the consumption of bottled water is strongly advised. Drum Cussac Group Limited 5 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services
Fact Box
Government
Semi-Presidential Republic
Type
Population 14,546,314 (2020)
Currency Zimbabwean (RTGS) Dollar
Shona (official; most widely spoken), Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken), English
Languages
(official; traditionally used for official business), 13 minority languages
Time Zone UTC+2
Protestant 74.8%, Roman Catholic 7.3%, other Christian 5.3%, traditional 1.5%, Muslim
Religions
0.5%, other 0.1%, none 10.5%
Traffic Drives on the left
Plug Types Type D, Type G
Ethnicities African 99.4%, Other 0.6%
Drinking
Not Safe to Drink
Water
Significant Dates:
Additional January 1 - New Year’s Day February 21 - National Youth Day April 10 - Good Friday April
Information 13 - Easter Monday April 18 - Independence Day May 1 - Labour Day May 25 - Africa Day
August 10 - Heroes’ Day August 11 - Defence Forces Day December 22 - Unity Day
December 25 - Christmas Day December 26 - Boxing Day
International
Country +263
Code
Drum Cussac Group Limited 6 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Travel Risk Advice
Vaccinations and Key Health Risks
You should visit a health care professional at least four to six weeks prior to the trip. Travellers should ensure that they have routine vaccination
courses and boosters. Routine vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and
annual flu vaccine.
Most travellers will require vaccines from:
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Dependent on work, reason for travel, or underlying health conditions, some travellers may require vaccines from:
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Tuberculosis
Cholera
Pre-departure
A risk assessment should have been completed against the itinerary and travellers should undertake a pre-travel security brief on the
associated threats and operating environment in Zimbabwe. Annual travel security training should also have been undertaken. Corruption is
endemic in the country, and business travellers should undertake bribery and corruption training before travelling.
Medical facilities are poor and access to medication is limited. Travellers should undertake a pre-deployment medical brief during which
personal medical information should be recorded. Travellers should also ensure they have sufficient supplies of prescriptions or medicines to
cover delays or lack of availability.
Travellers should have adequate travel insurance in place to enable rapid medical treatment or emergency extraction from Zimbabwe and
should ensure that detailed contingency options, business continuity, crisis management and evacuation plans are in place should the
situation in country deteriorate significantly.
There are significant periods of unrest and travellers should conduct research into the current political situation in the country. If the travel
dates coincide with planned elections, anniversaries or significant dates, additional measures may need to be taken. Travellers should
confirm that businesses will be open and services operational. Periods of prolonged unrest may result in the closure of banks or imposition of
movement restrictions and curfews and travellers should ensure that they have adequate amounts of cash.
Travellers should conduct research into the current economic situation in Zimbabwe before travelling. The local economy remains extremely
volatile and prices fluctuate frequently in reaction to various factors, particularly involving the issuing of 'bond notes' and announcements on
economic policy. In June 2019, President Mnangagwa announced that all foreign currencies, including the US dollar, GB pound and South
African rand, would cease to be accepted in the country, leaving the RTGS dollar as the only legal tender.
The travel itinerary should avoid sensitive areas, symbolic places and locations of frequent unrest or common targets where practicable.
Travellers should provide friends and family with a copy of their itinerary, make a copy of important travel and identification documents, and if
applicable, obtain their visa prior to arrival. Travellers should also have information on their meeting host, accommodation, relevant
embassies and trusted local contacts easily accessible.
Travellers should seek to register the trip and maintain regular communications with the appropriate diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe and
consider tracking their movements, such as via a smartphone app. Travellers should seek to liaise with a company HQ on a daily basis and
have access to an independent emergency communications system.
On Arrival
Travellers should aim to arrive in Zimbabwe in daylight where possible and should pre-book the first night's accommodation.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 7 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Travellers should have a meet and greet procedure in place and minimise the time spent in the common areas of the airport. Travellers
should proceed through arrivals in a timely manner, and depart as soon as practicably possible.
Travellers should carry a copy of their travel documents at all times.
In Transit
Travellers should use vetted transport providers, with security trained drivers in low-profile vehicles, and may also require an Executive
Protection Agent or a security coordinator. Travel should be pre-booked as much as possible, in order that safe routes may be identified, and
travellers should phone ahead to destinations before departure and not detour from the planned itinerary.
Travellers should travel with minimal non-essential valuable items. Any valuables should not be displayed publically.
Travellers should vary routes and times and minimise road travel after dark. The area around the State House in Harare is patrolled by the
Presidential Guard and loitering is strictly prohibited. The roads in this area are closed from 1800hrs to 0600hrs daily. Travellers should not
use GPS navigation systems around the President’s Residence and, if possible, avoid the area altogether.
At Your Hotel
Travellers should stay at reputable hotels with good standards of international-level security and should avoid hotels that have scheduled
high-profile conferences during the stay. Hotels should be located in areas that have not previously witnessed demonstrations and are not
marred by ethnic or political tensions. Ideally, hotels should be away from chokepoints and not surrounded by other high-profile targets (such
as foreign embassies government buildings and other well-known hotels or restaurants).
Secure transportation should be available between the hotel and airport. The hotel should have emergency power generators, in good
working condition, with adequate access to a fuel supply and emergency communications.
On arrival at the hotel, travellers should ensure the driver stays on site until their check-in has been confirmed.
Travellers should favour rooms between floors 2 and 6, and as far as possible from the main entrance and principal public areas. Rooms with
access from a side balcony or fire escape should be avoided.
Travellers should always lock the door (and any connecting doors) to their room and use the chain or spy hole when receiving a visitor. Do
not open the door to your hotel room, especially late at night, until you have confirmed the visitor’s identity and meet strangers in the lobby,
not in your room.
Travellers should leave any electronic equipment at the office or with their hosts and, before retiring, secure valuables and confidential
documents.
Travellers should monitor their airline's flight schedule and status throughout the stay.
In the Street
Travellers should avoid leaving the hotel, or secure accommodation, after dark.
Travellers should be aware of Zimbabwe's national culture and behavioural expectations. Homosexuality is considered to be illegal under
Zimbabwean law and can be punishable by imprisonment or a fine of up to 5,000 USD. Although prosecutions for same-sex relations are
uncommon, the country remains culturally conservative and public displays of affection can lead to harassment by police or members of the
public.
It is illegal to photograph government offices, airports, military establishments, official residences, embassies, security forces, and
demonstrations. Travellers should maintain a low profile, not become involved in local political issues and avoid discussing politically
sensitive topics in public. Travellers should observe any curfews or directives issued by local authorities and heed all other advice.
Travellers should avoid any demonstrations, protests and rallies, which are likely to attract security forces and present a dynamic and volatile
environment. Travellers should avoid sensitive areas, and during periods of heightened tension, symbolic places such as police stations,
government buildings, fast food restaurants, banks and locations of previous protests.
Travellers should avoid overt displays of wealth, dress discreetly and appropriately to the environment, not display money, jewellery or
valuables and maintain a low profile.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 8 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Travellers should ensure that they have adequate cash for their stay as debit or credit cards are not widely accepted. Care should be taken
to check the exchange rates when changing foreign currency or using credit or debit cards. Travellers should use only small denominations
of the local currency, and keep large amounts of cash and cards in a separate place on their person. The contents of wallets and purses
should be reduced, particularly cards which may denote affiliations, memberships or accounts. Although card transactions are accepted at a
number of hotels and high-end service establishments in Harare and other major cities, the use of Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)
payments linked to unstable local banks has left many retailers wary of card payments.
Travellers should ensure that their mobile phone is carried with sufficient battery life and programmed with appropriate emergency numbers.
Travellers should also carry an ID card or passport and emergency medical information.
Travellers should be aware of their location and surroundings, avoiding high-crime areas and walking through dimly lit streets after dark.
Travellers should know routes and carry a map if necessary, but keep it concealed.
In crowded situations, travellers should be aware of jostling as this may be used as a ploy by pick-pockets. Travellers should also be aware
of people loitering, and attackers who may first pass their victim to attack from behind.
Travellers should ignore verbal bait from passers-by, not get into an argument and avoid eye contact with strangers.
Travellers should be aware that photographing government buildings or military facilities may result in detention by authorities. Travellers
should ask permission before taking pictures of locals, especially women.
COVID-19 Information
Total Cases (ECDC) (Updated on Monday): 97,894
Weekly percentage increase in cases:17.07%
Travel Restrictions: Internal Restrictions Authorities plan to ease some COVID-19-related restrictions on tourism in the Victoria Falls area due to
high vaccination rates as of July 28. The Victoria Falls and Kazungula border posts will reopen for people who are fully vaccinated; the date on
which this will happen has not been announced. Authorities are maintaining most other COVID-19 international and domestic restrictions.
Additionally, the following nationwide measures remain in effect:
Facemasks are mandatory in public areas.
Public transport carrying capacity is limited to 50 percent, and operators must disinfect their vehicles after every trip.
Most gatherings are banned; funerals can occur with up to 30 people.
Beer halls and nightclubs are closed.
International Travel Restrictions
Air travel is ongoing. However, land borders are closed, except for cargo transport and other authorized persons.
Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours before arrival. Authorities may deny entry to persons without a
test result or displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
All individuals arriving must quarantine for 10 days; however, officials will allow those who arrive with a negative COVID-19 test to self-isolate
at their designated address.
If travelers present symptoms upon arrival, authorities will detain them until COVID-19 test results are known regardless of a pre-arrival
negative test; officials will release affected individuals to self-isolated at their designated address if the test returns negative.
Those who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival must quarantine at a government-appointed facility for 10 days.
Persons departing the country must present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure.
Additional Information: https://zw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/
Drum Cussac Group Limited 9 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Threat Scale Reference
Threat Rating Implication
The operating environment is benign and there are only isolated threats to business
1 - Negligible
and/or travel.
The operating environment is generally permissive, although there are a limited
2 – Low
number of threats to business and/or travel that requires basic mitigations.
The operating environment is challenging and there are serious threats to business
3 – Moderate
and/or travel that requires some mitigations.
The operating environment is hostile and there are significant threats to business,
4 – High
personal safety and/or travel, requiring comprehensive mitigations and planning.
The operating environment is characterised by pervasive direct threats to business,
5 – Extreme
personal safety and/or travel, requiring strict risk management procedures.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 10 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 23:01 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Disclaimer
Drum Cussac Group Ltd makes no representation, warranties or assurance against risk with respect to the contents or use of this document, and
specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties or usefulness for any particular purpose of this publication. Recommendations made are based on
information available at the time of writing. No express or implied warranty is given in respect of any judgment made or to changes, or any unforeseen
escalation of any factors affecting any such judgment.
Copyright
Copyright 2016 Drum Cussac Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express prior consent of Drum
Cussac Group Ltd.
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