Online ReporterRaymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT’s “kilometre by kilometre approach” — a strategic road construction and rehabilitation method where contractors progressively open completed phases of a road to traffic while continuing work, is yielding results.
Steady progress is being made on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road after another contractor added more kilometres of upgraded stretch of the busy highway yesterday.
Masimba Holdings, one of the eight contractors working on the 440-kilometre road, opened another 5km stretch of rehabilitated road to traffic at the 85-kilometre peg.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, a critical trade and tourism artery linking Zimbabwe with Zambia, Namibia and Botswana, is being upgraded under the Government’s ongoing national road rehabilitation and modernisation programme.
Initially, five contractors — Fossil Contracting, Masimba Holdings, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources and Tensor Systems were awarded contracts to rehabilitate sections of the 440-kilometre stretch. The Government later added three more contractors for Lots 6, 7 and 8, covering the final approaches to Victoria Falls to fast-track the completion of the upgrading of this busy highway.
The highway serves as a key route for regional trade and tourism, connecting southern Zimbabwe to the Kazungula Bridge and the wider SADC transport network.
For years, motorists, truckers and tourists travelling to Victoria Falls — a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the world’s premier tourist destinations — have endured long, difficult journeys due to the pothole-riddled highway.
The rehabilitation work, expected to be completed this year, aims to restore the route to world-class standards that support the free flow of goods, tourism traffic and regional economic integration.
Matabeleland North Provincial Roads Engineer, Xolani Ncube, said all the eight contractors are still within the project timelines with visible progress being made on the ground.
“Today we opened another five kilometres to traffic in a section of the road that is under Masimba Holdings. The total number of kilometres that have been rehabilitated is now close to 45 kilometres, a clear sign that the Government’s kilometre by kilometre approach is working,” said Engineer Ncube.
He said opening completed stretches helps harden the surface before final road markings and also allows the easier movement of goods and passengers.
Masimba Holdings project manager for the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, Mr Blessing Nhau, said another five kilometres is expected to be opened at the end of this month.
“Our initial target was to open 10km of the 51km that is under rehabilitation by Masimba Holdings but due to the heavy rains that were experienced last December, we completed just 5km. The other 5km will however, be completed by the end of this month,” said Mr Nhau.
He said his company will continue to work despite the expected rains in the coming weeks.
“The work will not stop and we are still within our set target to complete the rehabilitation of our allocated 51km this year,” said Mr Nhau.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe has said the rainy season will not significantly disrupt the project.
In an interview with Zimpapers last November, Eng Makumbe said while weather conditions can pose challenges, contractors are prepared to continue with critical works where it is safe and technically feasible.
“During heavy rains, focus may temporarily shift to activities less affected by weather — such as drainage works, culvert installations, material procurement and site preparation,” she said.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation is part of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP II), launched by the Government to modernise the country’s road network. The programme has seen major works on highways such as Harare-Beitbridge, Harare-Chirundu, Mutare-
Harare, and key feeder roads in all provinces.
The project aligns with the Second Republic’s policy of devolution and inclusive development, ensuring that strategic economic corridors in all regions receive attention to unlock industrial growth, facilitate tourism and enhance cross-border trade.
Once complete, the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a regional logistics and tourism hub.
