Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway rehab accelerated

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona addresses the media at the ministry’s boardroom in Harare yesterday. — Picture: Joshua Muswere

Freeman Razemba, Senior Reporter

ROAD rehabilitation works are underway on a 200-kilometre stretch of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, which has fallen into disrepair, with funds having been allocated for the reconstruction of the entire road that is expected to be completed within 36 months.

This development follows urgent repairs being carried out on some of the most damaged sections of the road.

The Department of Roads, in collaboration with Bitumen World, is currently working on these critical sections, with teams stationed in Hwange, Halfway, and Insuza to ensure efficient progress. During a media engagement in Harare yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona provided an update on the project.

He highlighted the capital-intensive nature of infrastructure rehabilitation, noting that the global average cost for reconstructing a road is approximately US$1 million per kilometre.

“Zimbabwe’s entire road network spans close to 90 000 kilometres, including gravel roads in rural areas. Under normal circumstances, we would appeal to financiers for concessionary facilities with flexible grace periods to fund such projects. However, the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe have significantly impacted our ability to secure funding for infrastructure development,” Minister Mhona said.

Despite these challenges, the Government has made strides through the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2), which began in 2021 and has been extended to December 2026 to address ongoing projects and emergencies.

Minister Mhona praised President Mnangagwa’s leadership, emphasising the administration’s commitment to rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.

“We are managing to tap into fiscal resources, and Zinara (Zimbabwe National Road Administration) has been instrumental in collecting funds to ensure our roads are attended to,” he added.