ZAMBIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY UNDER SIEGE: Police Misconduct at Roadblocks Destroying the Nation’s Reputation

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ZAMBIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY UNDER SIEGE: Police Misconduct at Roadblocks Destroying the Nation’s Reputation

Zambia, a nation blessed with unparalleled natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is at risk of losing its standing as a premier tourist destination. The reason? A chronic and systemic issue that has gone unchecked for far too long: police misconduct.

What should be a journey filled with wonder for tourists often turns into a nightmare of extortion and harassment at the hands of some members of the Zambia Police Service. This unacceptable behavior is not only tarnishing Zambia’s image but also threatening the very future of its tourism industry.

Every traveler’s experience in Zambia seems to come with one inevitable pitstop: roadblocks. Intended as a safety measure, these checkpoints have devolved into hubs of extortion, where some police officers exploit both local and international tourists. Stories abound of tourists being detained for hours, asked intrusive and irrelevant questions, and, most alarmingly, forced to part with large sums of money to avoid further harassment.

Yusuf Zumla, Chairman of the Tourism Council of Zambia, recently highlighted a particularly egregious case near Kazungula, where seventeen tourists were stopped, harassed, and extorted for bribes before being released after a day-long ordeal. Their crime? Simply traveling through Zambia. These visitors, humiliated and frustrated, vowed never to return—a sentiment that echoes across countless social media posts and travel forums.

Tourism is a vital pillar of Zambia’s economy. The sector is projected to bring in 2,000,000 visitors this year, contributing billions of kwacha in revenue. Yet, these gains are at risk of being undone by a few rogue officers whose actions are causing irreparable damage. According to Yusuf Zumla, police misconduct could cost the nation up to $250 million annually in lost revenue.

The ripple effects of these losses are staggering. Hotels, lodges, tour operators, and local artisans all stand to suffer as Zambia’s reputation as a “friendly” destination erodes. Moreover, the loss of foreign exchange earnings threatens broader economic stability, with fewer jobs and opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

What enables such blatant misconduct to persist? A culture of impunity within the Zambia Police Service. Officers involved in extortion are rarely held accountable, and complaints from victims often go unaddressed. Mechanisms for reporting misconduct are either inaccessible or ineffective, with some tourists recounting how their grievances were ignored or, worse, met with further intimidation.

Even more troubling is the deliberate concealment of service numbers by some officers, making it nearly impossible to identify and report wrongdoers. This systemic failure not only emboldens corrupt officers but also sends a clear message: tourists are easy targets. Yusuf adds

The damage isn’t confined to the nation’s borders. The widespread use of social media means that every negative experience is amplified, reaching potential tourists worldwide. Once known as the “Warm Heart of Africa,” Zambia now risks becoming synonymous with corruption and harassment.

Compounding this issue is the fierce competition from neighboring countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, which have successfully positioned themselves as tourist-friendly destinations. Zambia cannot afford to lose its competitive edge, yet that is precisely what’s happening as word spreads of the mistreatment tourists face on its roads.

The solutions to this crisis are neither new nor complicated. The Tourism Council of Zambia, led by Yusuf Zumla, has repeatedly called for: 
– Mandatory Training for Police Officers: Sensitization programs on tourism’s economic importance, customer service, and human rights.
– Tourism Police Units: Specialized teams trained to address tourist-related concerns.
– Accountability Mechanisms: Transparent and accessible systems for tourists to report misconduct.
– Reduction of Roadblocks: Limiting checkpoints to strategic locations and ensuring they serve genuine safety purposes.

Despite these recommendations, progress has been painfully slow. Meetings with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other stakeholders have yielded little more than empty promises. The lack of urgency is not only baffling but infuriating, given what is at stake.

Zambia’s tourism industry is at a tipping point. The question is no longer whether police misconduct will hurt the sector but how much damage will be done before decisive action is taken. The government must move beyond lip service and implement meaningful reforms. Failure to do so risks turning Zambia into a cautionary tale of squandered potential.

For now, tourists continue to face harassment at roadblocks, and Zambia’s reputation continues to plummet. The time for excuses has long passed. It’s time for action—bold, swift, and uncompromising. Anything less is a betrayal of Zambia’s promise as one of Africa’s top tourist destinations.

KUMWESU

4 COMMENTS

  1. After 2026, tourists will start returning after we vote out corruption.

    This man has taken us back to the cave days.

    Vote wisely in 2026.

  2. The Zambia Police are corrupt with the Traffic section being the face of corruption and extortion.

    Removing road blocks has helped. However the traffic police have evolved into roaming predators looking for someone to devour. You see them scrambling out of the back of the police van when they see a potential victim! You would think the van is on fire.

    They are shameless extortionists.

  3. Remove the bloody roadblocks and reduce the traffic fines so that it’s cheaper to pay the fine than bribe someone

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