Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
THE Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has clarified that the tendering process for the rehabilitation of Bulwayo-Victoria Falls Road is still ongoing, following the retraction of a misleading social media post that prematurely announced the commencement of works.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, confirmed that the tender process remains at the evaluation stage and that no contractors have been appointed as yet.
“The ministry unreservedly apologises for the misinformation shared earlier,” said Engineer Makumbe.
The post, which was later deleted, caused confusion among stakeholders and residents who have been eagerly awaiting the long-overdue rehabilitation of key road infrastructure in the resort city, Zimbabwe’s tourism capital.
Engineer Makumbe attributed the error to a lapse in internal communication protocols. She said that the incorrect post was published by an officer who failed to verify the facts with the Department of Roads, thereby breaching the Ministry’s internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for information verification.
The tender for the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation project was publicly advertised on April 17, 2025 and officially closed on April 29, at 11:00am. The Ministry noted that all submitted bids will now undergo a thorough evaluation by an appointed committee, with oversight from the Special Procurement Oversight Committee to ensure full compliance with national procurement regulations.
Engineer Makumbe reiterated the ministry’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability throughout both the procurement and implementation stages of the project.
“We urge the public to rely on official communications as we progress. Accurate information is critical to maintaining trust,” she said.
Developing a sound transport infrastructure is vital to achieving the nation’s vision of attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030. President Mnangagwa has already outlined the key infrastructural projects that his Government will pursue this year, including the construction of roads and dams.
In recent years, the Government has prioritised infrastructure upgrades under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), which encompasses the refurbishment of roads in and around key economic zones.
