Kariba, January 18, 2012 - Kariba dam wall remains popular with tourists as Zimbabwe Tourism Authority figures show that visitors increased from 2 413 last May to 6 328 in November.

The figures show that last August was the peak of 2011 when 8 976 visitors visited the wall, which in the past decade had been shunned due to political violence.

‘’At least there is peace in the country and it is good for us. Tourists had snubbed this town of late following the political violence that gripped country since 2000,’’ said a hotel worker.

A Movement for Democratic Change supporter Luckson Kanyurira was brutally beaten to death in April 2001 by alleged hired Zanu (PF) youths from Hurungwe, Karoi and Chinhoyi during the height of political violence.  The suspects are still yet to face trial.

According to Zambezi River Authority official website, Kariba dam wall was built during a 12 hour shifts for four years by both locals and international builders as the French designed it between 1956 and 1960. It was Officially opened on 16 May 1960 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, capping it as an international site where at least 6000 animals were rescued under Operation Noah- a wildlife rescue operation that lasted five years and was led by Rupert Fothergill.

On January 3 this year, one spill gate was opened to reduce an over flow of water after the dam received above normal rains. Last year four gates were opened and the large gush of water produced a rainbow while a mist engulfed visitors and light showers cooled them.