Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba in MATABELELAND SOUTH
INFRASTRUCTURE and development projects underway in Matabeleland South Province ahead of the 46th Independence Day celebrations, scheduled for April 18 at Maphisa Open Grounds, are set to be completed by April 13, 2026, Government ministers have said.
The ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far in road rehabilitation and other infrastructure development projects across the province.
President Mnangagwa is also expected to commission some of the legacy projects in the province during the Independence Day celebrations.
Yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona led a ministerial tour to assess progress on key routes.
He was accompanied by Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe and Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Joram Gumbo.
Also present were Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development chairperson Cde Tawanda Karikoga, legislators, senior Government officials and journalists from various media houses.
Speaking in separate interviews, the ministers confirmed that engineers working on the projects will complete their work by April 13, 2026.
The inspection tour covered the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road, the Maphisa–Gwanda Road and the Gwanda–Bulawayo Road.
Construction on these roads is gaining momentum, with detours already constructed to facilitate works while maintaining traffic flow. The roads are being surfaced as part of legacy projects in Matabeleland South, this year’s host province for the Independence Day celebrations.
Four contractors are working on the Gwanda–Maphisa Road, while seven are deployed on the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road.
Addressing journalists yesterday Minister Mhona said he was happy with the progress that has been made so far.
“I am so happy that we are together with my good friends from the Fourth Estate who are doing their oversight role and reporting to the people of Zimbabwe and beyond. I am happy that they are witnessing the work ethic of the Second Republic. We were supposed to be in offices, but we are here on the ground, which shows that as the Second Republic, we are here to deliver for the betterment of the people.
“And I am happy that by bringing together diverse media houses, the reporting system thereafter will be balanced. By the time we get to Maphisa, what we are trying to do is to make sure that we are not only showcasing this for an event, but it is about rebuilding our nation. That is the agenda of the trip.”
He said the tour was not solely because of the forthcoming Independence celebrations but to ensure lasting development beyond the event, particularly for people in Matabeleland who have historically felt marginalised.
“The mantra of His Excellence says ‘no one and no place should be left behind’, meaning that we are doing this for the betterment of the people of Zimbabwe. Why we decided to come here is to make sure that we also familiarise ourselves with the infrastructure rehabilitation programme that we are undertaking as a ministry and I am happy that you will see we have other activities within the province,” he said.
Minister Mhona added that contractors are now working 24/7 and must be accountable for their work.
Addressing journalists, Dr Joram Gumbo expressed similar sentiments.
“What we have noticed is that people are on the ground and they are working very hard. I think, as we have observed, by the time we hold our Independence celebrations, a lot of work will be completed and people will be able to travel properly. We expect that by the 13th of April, there will be quite a lot of improvement along this road.”
