By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Beitbridge –Motorists are relieved by the resumption of roadworks on the Mazunga detour, a 10 kilometres stretch along the Beitbridge –Bulawayo Road that had become nightmarish.
The stretch, had turned into a danger zone where several drivers fell victim to armed robbers while struggling through the uneven surface.
Motorists who use the road daily welcomed the development, saying it would ease travel challenges and reduce vehicle maintenance costs.
“We are really happy to see work finally starting again. That detour was rough and caused serious damage to our cars. This progress brings hope that travelling to Bulawayo will soon be smooth again,” said one motorist at a garage in Beitbridge.
The renewed works follow a site visit by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Joshua Sacco and Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe accompanied by other government officials.
During the visit, Minister Nguluvhe expressed disappointment over the poor state of the road, describing it as unacceptable for such a major route used by tourists and commercial traffic from South Africa to Victoria Falls.
Contractor Bongani Majwabu Moyo said progress had been delayed due to non-payment, with an outstanding amount of US$400,000 still owed.
He confirmed that work is now underway and is expected to be completed within four to five weeks, with full completion targeted for December.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development also confirmed progress in a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account:
“Surfacing is in progress on the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road Rehabilitation Project (Mazunga Section). This marks a significant step towards completing this vital national infrastructure project, which will enhance regional connectivity and economic efficiency.”
The Mazunga section forms part of the wider Beitbridge–Bulawayo Road Rehabilitation Project, a key national initiative aimed at improving road safety, trade, and tourism within Zimbabwe’s southern transport corridor.
A company from Bulawayo has already been awarded the contract to rehabilate the road to rhe tourist town of Victoria Fall from Beitbridge.
The company will do the road on a build-operate-transfer arrangement, to see it operate the road for some time while recouping its funds and interest from tolls for an agreed period.