Remove poll posters: Minister Mzembi

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TOURISM and Hospitality Industry minister Walter Mzembi on Friday ordered the removal of all campaign material for the just-ended harmonised elections in Victoria Falls — ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.

TOURISM and Hospitality Industry minister Walter Mzembi on Friday ordered the removal of all campaign material for the just-ended harmonised elections in Victoria Falls — ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.

Report By Richard Muponde, Senior Reporter

Mzembi said election poster of candidates from Zanu PF, the two MDC formations and independent candidates were now an eyesore in the resort town.

The UNWTO assembly is scheduled for August 24 to 29. Zimbabwe will co-host it with neighbouring Zambia.

Speaking at a banquet hosted by Vice-President Joice Mujuru for participants to the UNWTO Victoria Falls Invitational Golf Day on Friday night, Mzembi said he had discovered that the resort town was clean, as residents were not throwing litter everywhere.

“The town is very clean. I want to thank the city fathers for a job well done for keeping this town clean ahead of the UNWTO conference,” he said.

“It gives a good picture of what kind of a people we are.

“But having said that, I want to say all campaign posters which are plastered on buildings and trees should be removed before we host the conference. Make sure that that is done.”

The resort town was littered with campaign posters, especially those bearing pictures of President Robert Mugabe and his main rival, outgoing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mzembi revealed there were plans to transform Victoria Falls to match as well as compete with the Niagara Falls in Canada.

Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and New York state.

They form the southern end of the Niagara Gorge.

“That’s the best way to market our resort town of Victoria Falls. This is our aim after successfully hosting UNWTO.

“We want them to have fond memories of this place,” Mzembi added.