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Environment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere (centre) and his deputy Cde Simon Musanhu chats with members of the search team which includes army, parks and police officers at the foot of the Nyangani Mountains from where tourist Zayd Dada went missing

Peter Matambanadzo in NYANGA
Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has directed the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to immediately ensure that there is adequate safety precautions in place for tourists climbing Nyangani Mountain.Minister Kasukuwere was speaking after a solidarity visit to the mountain in the Eastern Highlands to support the family of tourist Zayd Dada, who went missing almost two weeks ago.

“We should not be accustomed to doing things in the wrong way. Parks should ensure that we devise safety methods to ensure the safety of tourists in the future,” Minister Kasukuwere said.

He said the authority should also urgently review its operational procedures so that such incidents are eliminated in the future.

“We should have clear landmarks that guide climbers and also a mandatory policy to ensure that climbers are in the company of a Parks official,” he said.
Nyanga National Parks area manager Mr Onias Bepe said this was the third incident recorded to date.

“After the Masaya case in 1982 there was a German tourist who went missing but was later found after four days roaming around the Glen Eagles forest,” he said.

He was referring to the two twin daughters of former Government minister Mr Tichaendepi Masaya who went missing in 1982 and were never found again.

Mr Bepe also briefed the minister on the efforts by the authority’s rescue team to search for Zayd since he went missing.

Meanwhile, the search and rescue operation for Zayd entered day 12 yesterday with no sign yet of the missing man.

The Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, the police, friends, well-wishers from Australia, South Africa and Zambia are assisting with the rescue operation.

Two helicopters, one from Air Force of Zimbabwe and one hired, were being used to search for the missing man.

Local chiefs, spirit mediums and prophets are also being consulted to assist in searching for Zayd who went missing after he ventured on a hike up the Inyangani Mountains with his wife and another couple.

When his wife and the couple turned back to their holiday chalets, Zayd continued on the hike on his own but never returned.