Online Reporter
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has re-opened the Harare–Mutare railway line after its temporary closure caused by a train derailment in Odzi, near the eastern border city of Mutare.
The derailment, which involved wagons transporting ferrochrome to the Mozambican port city of Beira, was triggered by infrastructure damage caused by heavy rains.
In a statement, NRZ said rail traffic had resumed on the line following emergency repairs.
“The Harare–Mutare railway line re-opened to traffic last night (on Sunday) following its temporary closure due to a derailment at a wash-away area in Odzi near Mutare.
“NRZ appreciates its hardworking employees and all those who worked around the clock to ensure that operations resumed on this very critical export and import route,” it said.
The temporary shutdown disrupted rail traffic between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, coming at a time when the Chicualacuala–Maputo line has also been closed for the past two weeks due to flooding in Mozambique.
The closure of the two key corridors has significantly affected regional trade flows, including transit cargo destined for Botswana and Zambia, further straining supply chains in the region.
The NRZ said frequent derailments, largely attributed to ageing infrastructure, vandalism, and extreme weather events, continue to negatively affect its operations.
These incidents have resulted in service delays, increased maintenance costs, cargo losses, and reduced customer confidence, particularly on major export routes.
The rail operator has previously warned that climate-related damage to rail infrastructure is becoming more common, underscoring the need for sustained investment in track rehabilitation and drainage systems to improve network resilience.
The Harare–Mutare line is one of Zimbabwe’s most strategic rail corridors, linking the country to the Beira port and serving as a vital route for exports, imports, and regional transit traffic. – New Ziana
