Stop politicking on critical infrastructure

By Newsday | May. 17, 2025

Zanu PF

THE ruling Zanu PF party always has a way of politicising national projects.

What is sad is that, while other nations are pushing developmental projects, Zimbabwe is very good only at the rhetoric.

Several projects here are nominal — they exist in name only.

One can easily tell that of the few undertaken, most are merely political gimmicks.

Yesterday, we reported that the government has taken 25 years to complete the construction of Lupane Provincial Hospital, and the period could be even longer, considering the pace at which the government usually operates.

More often than not, the issue is the non-payment of contractors by the government, as is the case with Lupane Hospital.

Speaking in Parliament, Health and Child Care Deputy minister Sleiman Kwidini said 22.7% of the project works had been completed to date.

He said some buildings, which were 70% complete, required specialised work such as tiling, installation of fire systems, oxygen piping, heating, kitchen ventilation equipment, laundry, and other related tasks to move forward.

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“We have experienced prolonged periods without payment, significantly affecting progress,” Kwidini said.

“We request that payments be clearly specified with corresponding certificate numbers.

We request payment in United States dollars, as most of our suppliers sell materials and goods in this currency. Additionally, our employees are no longer willing to accept ZiG payments.”

Now consider the long-awaited Gwayi-Shangani Dam project.

It is currently 72% complete, a mere 2% gain from October 2024.

A major component of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, the Gwayi-Shangani Dam has faced multiple setbacks and missed several deadlines.

It was initially set for completion in December 2023, but the deadline was pushed to the first quarter of 2024 due to resource constraints.

By October 2024, the dam wall was 70,2% complete, with 39 metres of the planned 72-metre structure built.

Again, the completion deadline has since been pushed to December this year.

Movement is usually only seen during campaign periods; after that, everything goes back to default mode.

The Zanu PF government continues to use national projects for grandstanding, delaying everything so they can be used to campaign in the next silly election season.

Even where it should not be involved, it is found wanting.

Today, a certain health facility in Murambinda is struggling to operate after funders and development partners pulled out in protest against Zanu PF interference.

The ruling party wanted to officiate and heap praise on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government for facilitating the donation of medication or medical equipment — yet the government had done nothing.

Speculation is rife that this is the same reason why Dr Paul Thistle, who had served there as a doctor since arriving in the country in 1995 and as chief medical officer since 1999, had to leave Howard Mission Hospital in a huff in 2012 following conflicts in the Salvation Army Church — conflicts that were, however, a result of infighting and undercurrents within Zanu PF.

Addressing a provincial development review meeting, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo expressed confidence that the project would meet its deadline this year:

“The Gwayi-Shangani Dam is a flagship project under the Second Republic and a key component of Vision 2030,” Moyo said.

“At 72% completion, we are on track to meet the target.

“The dam will not only supply potable water to Bulawayo but will also support six irrigation schemes and generate 10 megawatts of hydro-electric power.”

That is just mockery.

No completion of the project will come any time soon.

Unless and until citizens overwhelmingly vote Zanu PF out of power, such politicking with national projects will not stop.

Zanu PF needs to stop these shenanigans.