The government-owned main broadsheet, The Herald, has apologised for publishing articles in which it claimed that billion-dollar deals had been signed in the tourism sector.

The Herald now says only a Memorandum of Understanding for the exchange of information and collaboration was signed. The apology reads:

“On the 7th and 20th of April this year we published stories to the effect that Touchroad International Holdings Group signed deals worth billions of dollars in the tourism sector. It has come to our attention that no such deals were signed.

In fact, the Government of Zimbabwe and Touchroad International Holdings Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding for tourism and hospitality industry investment projects.

The purpose of the MoU was to establish a practical framework for the development of stronger cooperation relations between the two parties and to set forth the procedures of cooperation for the expansion of tourism and hospitality industry investment relations between Zimbabwe and China, strengthening of institutional relations and capacity building through mutual cooperation. They agreed to exchange information, collaboration, among other things. Any inconvenience caused to Touchroad International Holdings is sincerely regretted.”