Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
Zimpapers Reporter
GOVERNMENT’s ‘kilometre by kilometre’ approach, a strategic road construction and rehabilitation method where contractors progressively open completed phases of a road to traffic while continuing work, is yielding results.
Steady progress is being made on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road after another contractor added more kilometres of an upgraded stretch of the busy highway yesterday.
Masimba Holdings, one of the eight contractors that were awarded contracts by Government last year to rehabilitate the sections of the 440-kilometre stretch, opened to traffic a newly rehabilitated 5km section in Umguza District at the 85 kilometre peg from Bulawayo towards Lupane.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, a critical trade and tourism artery, the western north-south route, linking Zimbabwe with Zambia, Namibia and Botswana, is being upgraded under the Government’s ongoing national road rehabilitation and modernisation programme.
Initially, five contractors — Fossil Contracting, Masimba Holdings, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources and Tensor Systems — were awarded contracts to rehabilitate sections of the 440-kilometre stretch. However, the Government went on to add three more contractors for Lots 6, 7 and 8, covering the final approaches to Victoria Falls, to fast-track completion.
The busy highway serves as a key route for regional trade and tourism, connecting southern Zimbabwe to the Kazungula Bridge and the wider SADC transport network.
For years, motorists, truckers and tourists travelling to Victoria Falls, a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the world’s premier destinations, have endured long, difficult journeys due to pothole-riddled and narrow stretches of the highway.
The rehabilitation work, expected to be completed this year, aims to restore the route to world-class standards that support the free flow of goods, tourism traffic and regional economic integration.
Matabeleland North Provincial Roads, Engineer Xolani Ncube, said all eight contractors are still within project timelines with visible progress being made on the ground.
“Today (yesterday) we opened another 5km to traffic in a section of the road that is under Masimba Holdings. The total number of kilometres that have been rehabilitated is now close to 45 kilometres, a clear sign that Government’s kilometre by kilometre approach is working,” said Engineer Ncube.
“Opening completed stretches also helps harden the surface before final road markings and allows the easier movement of goods and passengers,” he said.
Masimba Holdings project manager for the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, Mr Blessing Nhau, said another 5km is expected to be opened end of this month.
“Our initial target was to open 10 kilometres of the 51km that is under rehabilitation by Masimba Holdings, but due to the heavy rains that were experienced in December last year we managed to complete only the first 5km. The other 5km are already work in progress and work on that stretch should be completed by the end January,” said Mr Nhau.
He said the contractor will continue with work despite the imminent rains that are anticipated in the coming weeks as the rainy season reaches its peak from January and March.
“The work will not stop and we are still within our set target to finish our allocated 51 kilometres this year,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe has previously stated that the rainy season would not significantly disrupt the project.
In an interview with Zimpapers last November, Eng Makumbe said while weather conditions can pose challenges, contractors are prepared to continue with critical works where it is safe and technically feasible.
“During heavy rains, focus may temporarily shift to activities less affected by weather, such as drainage works, culvert installations, material procurement and site preparation,” she said.
The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation is part of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP II), launched by the Government to modernise national transport infrastructure. The programme has seen major works on highways such as Harare–Beitbridge, Harare–Chirundu, Mutare–Harare, and key feeder roads in all provinces.
The project aligns with the Second Republic’s policy of devolution and inclusive development, ensuring that strategic economic corridors in all regions receive attention to unlock industrial growth, facilitate tourism and enhance cross-border trade.
Once complete, the highway is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a regional logistics and tourism hub.
