derick.khumalo
Freeman Razemba Senior Zimpapers Reporter
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has taken a major step towards restoring its freight capacity after commissioning three refurbished locomotives and 100 wagons in Harare yesterday.
The refurbishment, carried out at NRZ’s Bulawayo Mechanical Workshops, was funded through a US$2,5 million injection from mining giant Zimasco under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Under the agreement, Zimasco funded the procurement of critical spares and consumables valued at approximately US$2,46 million.
The programme forms part of Government’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) drive to strengthen private-sector collaboration and revive the country’s railway transport system.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona led a delegation of senior Government officials, NRZ board members and Zimasco officials to commission the locomotives and wagons.
He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Senator Charles Tawengwa, and Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive officer Dr John Mangudya.
In his address, Minister Mhona said infrastructure remained the cornerstone of economic development, in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision.
“Our visionary leader, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Mnangagwa, has consistently reminded us that ‘Infrastructure is the cornerstone of economic development.’ Under the National Development Strategy, the transport and logistics sub-sector is mandated to serve as a critical economic enabler,” he said.
“A fully functional railway network is not a luxury; it is a necessity for achieving our national aspiration of becoming an Upper-Middle-Income Economy by 2030. Rail remains the most cost-effective, bulk-carrying, and safest mode of transport for our heavy industrial and mining output.”
Minister Mhona said the refurbished locomotives and wagons would enable NRZ and Zimasco to improve operational efficiency, leading to reduced reliance on heavy road haulage and thereby preserving newly rehabilitated national roads from premature damage.
He described the partnership as a win-win financial engineering model.
“By funding the overhaul of idle wagons in exchange for freight charge offsets, Zimasco has secured a reliable supply chain route to international markets via regional ports such as Beira and Maputo. At the same time, NRZ has expanded its operational rolling stock capacity without placing an immediate fiscal burden on the Treasury. This is precisely the kind of self-sustaining, innovative project financing that our
Government champions,” he said.
“It is a tangible manifestation of the promise of the Second Republic: to leave no one and no place behind. When we speak of that pledge, we speak not of rhetoric, but of concrete action; action that opens pathways for our entrepreneurs, creates opportunities for our youth, restores dignity to our nation, and renews hope among our people. Today’s event embodies that promise.”
Minister Mhona said the Second Republic had charted a deliberate course towards institutional restoration, economic transformation and strategic repositioning, evidenced by placing NRZ under the Mutapa Investment Fund.
“I usually refer to his magic as the golden touch. You saw we worked together to relaunch the Harare-London route. Today, we are witnessing another milestone of a viable partnership between the NRZ and the private sector,” he said.
The minister said the US$10 million rehabilitation of the Chicualacuala–Plumtree and Machipanda–Harare railway lines was a direct outcome of the tripartite cooperation agreement between Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.
“We further support rail sector revitalisation and modernisation through annual PSIP allocations. Most recently, the Ministry fostered improved cooperation with the Republic of South Africa on the revival of rail along the North-South Corridor,” he said.
In his speech, Dr Mangudya said with support from the Fund, NRZ was pursuing rolling stock recapitalisation, financing initiatives, infrastructure rehabilitation and strategic partnerships.
Key interventions include locomotive refurbishments and lease capacity, where the Fund facilitated the leasing of four Sheltam locomotives to ease immediate traction constraints. It is planning to add nine more locomotives to the fleet to support increased business.
“The Fund is in the process of finalising a US$6 million facility for NRZ for the refurbishment of 520 wagons and acquisition of maintenance equipment,” Dr Mangudya said.
“We are also negotiating with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for a US$115 million facility for the procurement of 10 new locomotives, 315 wagons and rehabilitation of key infrastructure.”
He said these initiatives would improve the availability of locomotives and wagons required to enhance network reliability and increase freight capacity.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu