Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
Victoria Falls Reporter
THE construction of Gwayi-Shangani Dam has reached a major milestone, now standing at 72,1 percent completion and projected to be finished by February 2027.
On Monday, a high-level delegation from the monitoring and evaluation team of the Office of the President and Cabinet visited the project site.
The team was on the ground to conduct a thorough assessment of the construction work, underscoring the project’s strategic importance to the nation.
Providing a detailed update, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana, outlined the recent technical accomplishments achieved by the contractors.
“The Gwayi-Shangani Dam project is currently 72,1 percent complete, with recent accomplishments including treatment of cracks on the dam spillway section, gap grouting of the main dam wall, and concrete placing for the mini hydro power plant foundation,” said Mr Mangwana.
He further elaborated on the transformative potential of the dam.
“The dam aims to provide water, support power generation, enable irrigation, foster fisheries, and promote tourism in Matabeleland North. The Government has committed to disbursing US$5 million monthly,” he said.
The recent technical works are critical for the dam’s long-term structural integrity and functionality.
The treatment of cracks on the spillway ensures the structure can safely handle floodwaters, while gap grouting of the main wall strengthens its core. The ongoing work on the mini-hydro power plant foundation paves the way for the dam to contribute to the national grid.
The project has faced its share of delays over the years until the advent of the Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa, which has injected remarkable momentum into its progress.
Beyond its infrastructural goals, the dam is already making a positive local impact, having created employment opportunities for 480 people from surrounding communities such as Mabale, Lupane, and Lubimbi.
Stakeholders, including the Hwange Rural District Council, traditional leaders, local communities, and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, are actively involved in the project, which is spearheaded by the Government.
With consistent funding and focused effort, the Gwayi-Shangani Dam is steadily moving towards its completion date, promising to usher in a new era of water security, economic empowerment, and sustainable development for the entire Matabeleland North province and beyond.
Constructed at the confluence of the Gwayi and Tshangani Rivers, the dam entered an intensive new phase with contractors initiating round-the-clock operations following a crucial release of Government funding last month.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority, the lead agency for the initiative, confirmed that a 24-hour work schedule had commenced to accelerate completion of the multi-purpose dam, a cornerstone of the broader National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project.
Treasury has already released US$5 million towards the dam’s construction and has committed to disbursing the same amount monthly until the project is completed. This consistent funding ensures uninterrupted progress.
Once completed, Lake Gwayi-Tshangani will become Zimbabwe’s third-largest inland water body, after Tugwi-Mukosi and Lake Mutirikwi, both located in Masvingo Province.
