Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba in Matabeleland South
Cabinet Ministers, who are on a tour of road rehabilitation projects in Matabeleland South, have expressed satisfaction with the progress made on road rehabilitation and infrastructure projects in Matabeleland South, ahead of the 46th Independence Day celebrations scheduled for April 18 at Maphisa Open Grounds.
Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Joram Gumbo said; “What we have noticed is that people are on the ground and they are working very hard.
“I think that by the time we hold our independence, a lot of work will be complete and people will be able to travel properly and we expect that by April 13, there will be quite a lot of improvement along this road.”
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said was happy with the progress made on the roads, the stadium where the children’s party will be held, other facilities and other legacy projects which will be commissioned by President Mnangagwa on April 18, 2026.
The projects at the venue are being done by his ministry.
“So far, we have covered the lag that comes from Bulawayo to where we are now, which is about 20km from the Maphisa venue,” he said.
“There are challenges, yes, in terms of the size of the bridges, which we can’t work on right now, but I am sure that the Ministry of Transport will then work on them after the event.
“Given the report that we received from the engineers from the Ministry of Transport, we are confident that they are going to be able to rehabilitate the roads so that they are passable by the time we get to April 18.
“Our cut-off date in terms of works has been pegged at the 13th of April 2026, and we have been assured by the engineers that they will meet that target and that is important for us at this stage.”
Minister Nguluvhe also said they were very happy that they are hosting this year’s independence, which has brought a lot of development in the province.
“We are happy about this road from Bulawayo to Kezi, I am sure you saw that this road hasn’t been taken care of since 1980, including the road between Maphisa and Gwanda,” he said.
“The people in this area are very happy and appreciate a lot of what the Second Republic is doing.
“All along the people have been saying they are marginalised, but to me we are not marginalised, the Second Republic is making sure that no place is left behind and no one is left behind,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe said they were lucky in Matabeleland South as they were currently allocated 40 laboratories, which are now in seven districts, an aerodrome and hospitals, which have created employment.
