The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has issued a statement following the circulation of a video showing popular travel vlogger Davud Akhundzada being stopped from accessing the Mbuya Nehanda Statue in Harare. The ministry said the site is a National Heritage Monument with restricted areas for safety and preservation reasons.
According to the statement dated November 5, 2025, the ministry acknowledged the incident involving Akhundzada, who was reportedly advised to seek permission from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) before visiting the site. The ministry expressed concern over the incident and moved to clarify access procedures at the monument.
“The Mbuya Nehanda Statue is a National Heritage Monument managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage,” the statement read. “It stands as a proud symbol of Zimbabwe’s liberation history and identity. The site is subject to specific preservation and security protocols and as such, public access to certain areas including elevated or restricted zones may be limited for safety, preservation and security reasons.”
The Mbuya Nehanda Statue, located in central Harare, was unveiled in 2021 to honour the spirit medium and liberation heroine Mbuya Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana. It has since become one of the capital’s most recognizable landmarks, frequently attracting local and international visitors.
In response to the concerns raised by the incident, the Ministry of Tourism said it is working closely with other government departments to improve visitor management at heritage sites. “As the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, we are taking proactive steps to enhance Tourist Management at such sites,” it said. “Through a Whole-of-Government Approach Strategy in coordination with our counterparts at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, we are deploying tourism officers at key Heritage and Cultural Monuments.”
According to the ministry, these officers will ensure that tourists receive proper guidance and access information, making visits to heritage locations more seamless and better coordinated. The move is part of efforts to balance public access with heritage conservation and security measures.
The ministry also issued an apology to Akhundzada for the inconvenience caused, saying, “We sincerely apologize to Mr. Davud Akhundzada for the inconvenience caused and remain committed to ensuring that all tourists to Zimbabwe’s heritage sites enjoy safe and memorable experiences.”
The statement was released in coordination with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Mosi oa Tunya Development Company, Experience Zimbabwe, and ZimBho — the country’s “Zimbabwe: Birthplace of Hospitality” tourism campaign.
The ministry reiterated that while the Mbuya Nehanda Statue remains open to the public, some areas within the monument are not accessible without authorization due to their restricted status.
