Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
TRANSPORT and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona will this week lead a ministerial tour to assess progress that has been made so far on some of the roads that are being rehabilitated in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces ahead of the 46th Independence Day celebrations at Maphisa Open Grounds.
The minister and his delegation will tour the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road, Maphisa-Gwanda Road, Gwanda-Bulawayo Road and the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
This development comes after the construction of the Gwanda-Maphisa and Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa roads is gaining momentum, with detours being constructed to expedite works while ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.
The roads are being surfaced as part of legacy projects implemented in Matabeleland South, which will be hosting this year’s 46th Independence Day celebrations.
In an interview recently, Matabeleland South Provincial Roads Engineer Mangisi Nkomo said that four contractors are working on the Gwanda-Maphisa Road, while seven are involved in the Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa Road.
“We are working on two major roads: the Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa Road and the Gwanda-Maphisa Road. The works include surfacing 55 km along the Gwanda-Maphisa Road and 63 km along the Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa Road, as well as other rehabilitation works on these routes.
“We are progressing steadily and as we do so, we are constructing detours. The temporary access routes will ensure continuous traffic flow while major works are underway.
“We aim to minimise disruptions to motorists and local communities, while enabling contractors to carry out essential upgrades.”
The construction of the Gwanda-Maphisa highway and the Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa Road is among several major roads being rehabilitated as part of the Second Republic’s broader infrastructure development agenda. These projects commenced following a Cabinet strategic decision to host the 2026 Independence Day celebrations at Maphisa Open Grounds.
