Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
CABINET ministers on Friday toured sections of the 440km Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road to assess progress on the ongoing rehabilitation works, with all eight contractors now back on site and targeting to rehabilitate a combined 160km stretch by the end of this year.
To date, 73,4km has been rehabilitated and opened to traffic, while each contractor is targeting to complete at least 20km by December 2026.
The renewed momentum on the project comes as Government intensifies monitoring of infrastructure development.
The delegation was led by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Advocate Felix Mhona and included Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe National Road Administration board vice-chairperson Police Commissioner (Retired) Felie Chikowero-Mjanga, Zinara chief executive officer Mr Nkosinathi Ncube and other senior Government officials.
Speaking during the tour, Minister Moyo welcomed the resumption of construction works, saying the developments had brought relief to communities in Matabeleland North.
He said the rehabilitation of the highway was important to the province and its people, given the road’s critical role in supporting economic activities and connecting communities.
The eight contractors undertaking the project are Bitumen Resources, Syvern Investment, Tensor Systems, Masimba Holdings, Fossil Contracting, Linash Construction, Asphalt Products and Bitumen World.
The rehabilitation, which commenced in July 2025, is being implemented in phases, with works including bush clearing, detour construction, earthworks, drainage installation, road widening and surfacing.
Once completed, the project is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel times and facilitate the movement of people and goods between Bulawayo, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
The highway is one of the country’s major transport corridors, supporting tourism and trade while connecting Zimbabwe’s second-largest city to Victoria Falls, one of the country’s key tourism destinations.
It also forms part of the wider North-South Corridor, which links countries in the region and facilitates regional trade and economic integration.
