Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has addressed concerns regarding a viral image depicting a structure built across a railway line, confirming that the construction was on a private property owned by a Chinese firm in the Willowvale industrial area of Harare.
“Over the past weekend, NRZ was inundated with inquiries regarding a security wall built across a railway line, whose pictures went viral on the social media. We hereby wish to set the record straight and lay the facts bare.
“The NRZ went on a fact-finding mission and established that the structure in question was built on top of a disused, privately-owned siding leading to a now defunct factory which is currently being demolished after the property was bought by a Chinese-owned company last year.
“These sidings are owned by private companies that require goods to be railed to their premises from our yards. The wall was built to secure the property located on 44 Tilbury Road in the Willowvale industrial area of Harare,” the NRZ said in a statement.
The company said it had reached out to the owners of the Chinese company over the matter.
“Our team managed to speak to a director at the company identified as Ms Li, who said they built the security wall to prevent thieves from accessing their newly acquired property.
“So, effectively, the NRZ does not have any mandate over the disused line, but understands that the City of Harare is looking into the matter.”
Bongani Ndlovu