By Lovemore Masunungure
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Hon Advocate Felix Tapiwa Mhona has a busy schedule this week as he is set to tour ongoing road rehabilitation projects in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces, just days after officiating the reopening of Lorraine Drive in Harare.
The minister will lead a ministerial delegation to assess progress on key road projects ahead of the country’s Zimbabwe Independence Day celebrations set for April.
Among the roads lined up for inspection are the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road, Maphisa–Gwanda Road, Gwanda–Bulawayo Road and the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road.
The visit comes as construction works on the Gwanda–Maphisa and Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa roads gather momentum, with contractors already constructing detours to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic while major rehabilitation works continue.
The road rehabilitation programme forms part of legacy infrastructure projects being implemented in Matabeleland South, which will host this year’s 46th Independence Day celebrations at Maphisa Open Grounds.
Matabeleland South Provincial Roads Engineer Mangisi Nkomo said several contractors are currently working on the projects to accelerate completion.
“We are working on two major roads: the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road and the Gwanda–Maphisa Road. The works include surfacing 55 kilometres along the Gwanda–Maphisa Road and 63 kilometres along the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road, as well as other rehabilitation works on these routes,” he said.
Nkomo added that temporary detours are being constructed to ensure continuous traffic flow while contractors carry out major upgrades.
“The temporary access routes will ensure continuous traffic flow while major works are underway. We aim to minimise disruptions to motorists and local communities while enabling contractors to carry out essential upgrades,” he said.
The rehabilitation of the Gwanda–Maphisa Highway and the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road is part of the Second Republic’s broader infrastructure development agenda aimed at improving the country’s road network and supporting national events.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is also engaged in construction works in Mabvuku.
The projects form part of ongoing efforts to improve road infrastructure and enhance mobility for residents in the area.
