Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
CABINET yesterday received an update on priority projects for the third 100-day cycle of 2025, which saw ministers reporting on progress made on projects under their purview.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera, reported on progress on projects under her ministry, including the 30 health institutions that were connected to facilitate telemedicine services provision, while 280 Starlink kits were procured for 280 health institutions.
Further, the ICT ministry is partnering with Sunway City for the establishment of a Technology Park, while 20 computer laboratories have been resourced with ICT gadgets and two renewable energy base stations were deployed and four others are at various stages of completion.
Minister Mavetera reported that six 3G/4G Base stations are at various stages of completion, while 1 740 homes have benefited from the Fibre to the Home digital connectivity project.
In addition, six long-term evolution (LTE) base stations were completed and commissioned while civil works spanning 30km were completed for the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls-Kazungula project.
Also under the Ministry of ICT, 20 sites were fitted with traffic surveillance equipment for the Smart Traffic Management project while the Cashel Valley Post Office has been renovated and is now operational.
A Zimpost mobile application has been completed, launched and is now in the public domain, while e-learning platforms have been deployed to 10 schools.
It was also reported that 70 000 Zimbabweans were equipped with digital skills, 50 ICT laboratories were established, six digital centres were rebranded and the Midlands edition of the Digitalise Zimbabwe Roving ICT Expo in Masala, Gokwe, marked a key step in digital inclusion.
Dr Muswere said Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, reported to Cabinet that the Mutare Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Silo expansion project is 95 percent complete, while the Mhangura Silo expansion project is 87 percent complete.
Semen straws that produced for artificial insemination surpassed the target of 10 000 and 91 dip tanks out of 160 were rehabilitated.
Dr Muswere added that 49 864 chicks were distributed as at day 50 while 50 835 098 hay bales were produced, surpassing the target of 2 million.
In respect of Kunzvi Dam, its construction is now 66 percent complete, while Gwayi-Shangani is 73 percent complete.
Turning to boreholes, 312 of them were equipped, surpassing the target of 200 and 156 Village Business Units were established, against a target of 100.
Dr Muswere said Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, updated Cabinet that the remaining 59,5km of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road upgrading is at various stages of completion, while 25,5km of the 357,7km Harare-Kanyemba Road upgrade works have been completed and opened to traffic.
“The fencing of the 43km stretch of the rehabilitated Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road has reached 60 percent completion, construction of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Masvingo offices was at 88 percent in terms of completion, the Chipinge-Mt Selinda 10km road construction project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the Mpopoma Traffic Training Centre in Bulawayo is at 70 percent of completion,” he said.
Under the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Muswere reported that his ministry is spearheading the production of two landmark documentary initiatives.
These are The Second Republic – The End of National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1), which spotlights its achievements and The Legacy of Munhumutapa, chronicling the life and leadership of President Mnangagwa.
Added Dr Muswere: “The Lyeja FM Radio Transmitter Upgrade has been completed, with successful coverage tests indicating strong signal reception across targeted zones, the modernisation of the two Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) news booths will revitalise the country’s national broadcasting infrastructure.
“The Montrose station is complete and will soon be commissioned, works at Pockets Hill will start in mid-December 2025, the Media Centre Renovations project at Rainbow Towers Hotel is at 75 percent in terms of completion, the Community Mobile Cinematography project was rolled out in Hwedza, Hwange and Binga Districts, and is ongoing.
“The country successfully hosted the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA) conference that carried significant strategic, diplomatic and developmental benefits for Zimbabwe and the wider SADC region.”
Dr Muswere said Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anselem Sanyatwe reported that the refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium is on course and the development of the National Sports Association Hub is ongoing.
The finalisation of the National Languages Policy is expected by the end of the cycle, while construction of the Shangwe Culture Centre in Gokwe North District is now complete and ready for hand-over from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
The design and Architectural Drawings for the Zezuru Cultural Village Phase 2 in Murehwa District, Mashonaland East Province, has been completed.
“The upgrading of the solar power system at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe has been completed,” said Dr Muswere.
Under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Minister Torerayi Moyo apprised Cabinet that 97 primary and secondary schools were registered thereby reducing walking distances by learners and decongesting existing schools across the country.
“Ten schools infrastructure upgrade works were undertaken through partnerships between Government and development partners, six laboratories were constructed in order to increase the uptake of science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects by learners, and Government and development partners completed construction of affordable and sustainable boarding facilities across the country,” said Dr Muswere.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe reported that the new city Local Development Plans in Mt Hampden are 45 percent complete, while the Munhumutapa National Youth Housing Programme in Manyame District, Mashonaland East province, is on course for completion and the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Housing programmes in Zvimba and Masvingo districts are progressing well and are set for completion within the targeted timelines.
Regarding the installation of Chiefs in Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Manicaland and Mashonaland East Provinces, progress reached 43 percent.
On devolution, 91 of the 92 local authorities now have the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) module.
Regarding the 46th Independence celebrations, progress on legacy projects in Matobo District is 15 percent complete, while 298 houses were completed and seven are at various stages of completion for the Tsholotsho Disaster Recovery project and 157 boreholes have been drilled under the China Aid Post Cyclone Idai Recovery programme.
