Correspondent|Members of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) will spend at least US$4.5 million this year visiting global capitals that include Washington, Brussels, London and Paris on what Government says is an international re-engagement drive meant to spruce up the country’s image in the face of the elusive global capital and investment.

According to a report by the Zimbabwe Independent, as part of its international travels, the POLAD re-engagement sub-committee will be in the US from March 24 to 26, where it will, among other tasks, lobby for the removal of sanctions.

The committee comprises Thokozani Khupe (chairperson), Willard Mugadza (deputy chairperson), Kwanele Hlabangana (rapporteur), Aplonia Munzverengwi (committee member) and Khaliphani Phugeni (spokesperson).

It will also visit South Africa, United Kingdom, and several other European countries.The team has so far met with the European Union (EU) ambassador Timo Olkkonen, British ambassador Melanie Robinson and American embassy officials.

According to a POLAD handbook, the removal of sanctions “will go a long way in diffusing perceptions about Zimbabwe and give a new impetus to both the economy and opportunities for its people”.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba said the cost associated with the POLAD re-engagement committee’s mission was nothing compared to the cost of Western sanctions.

“Now you say ZW$80 million. How much is that compared with the cost of sanctions? They are chasing a programme to have the sanctions removed. And remember they are going to be paying in United States dollars where they are going, they need to pay for accommodation, food, travel,” Charamba said.

“It is a mission, and they are actually pulling a pillar policy of the Second Republic. It is part of their commitment on areas they wanted to look at, including the legislative reforms, policy reforms, uniting the nation and economic recovery. It is part of a solution to a common challenge.”