Concerns are mounting over whether the ambitious rehabilitation of the over 440-kilometre Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway will be completed by the government’s end of year deadline, amid indications that progress on the ground remains slow.
Although authorities have opened about 45 kilometres of the highway to traffic so far, progress has been uneven, with some sections as short as five kilometres being completed and commissioned at a time.
Analysts and opposition legislators warned that unless the pace ids accelerated significantly, the deadline may be missed.
Nkayi South legislator Jabulani Hadebe (CCC) expressed scepticism that the project would be completed within the stated timeframe, citing what he described as a pattern of delays in major infrastructure projects.
“It’s no longer a year to the 2026 deadline. It will be a first for this government to complete such capital projects in time,” Hadebe said.
“This government has a history of incompetence and failing to meet set targets due to corruption and rent-seeking behaviour, as exemplified by the Bulawayo–Nkayi Road, Bulawayo–Tsholotsho Road, Bulawayo–Kezi Road and Bulawayo–Gwanda Road.”
Hadebe said Parliament would intensify oversight to ensure accountability, adding that delays were often linked to poor supervision and late release of funds.
“As Parliament, we will exert pressure on the Ministry of Transport, which plays a supervisory role over contractors, and also on the Ministry of Finance to ensure funds are disbursed on time,” he said.
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The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway is a critical economic artery linking Zimbabwe’s second-largest city to the country’s premier tourist destination and regional trade routes into Zambia and Botswana.
The road has long been in a state of disrepair, prompting government to embark on a phased rehabilitation programme involving multiple contractors.
Bulawayo-based social commentator Effie Ncube said the current pace of work did not match the strategic importance of the road.
“Given the importance of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road to national development, its refurbishment requires better speed than what has been all along,” Ncube said.
“The current pace is too slow and not good enough.
"At this rate it will take way beyond the agreed timeline to complete.”
Ncube said stronger supervision and increased resource allocation were urgently needed to avoid further delays.
“More focused resources and effective supervision are needed in order to address delays and boost the speed of reconstruction. This is long overdue,” he said.
Another analyst echoed similar concerns, warning that without drastic changes, the 2026 deadline may be unrealistic.
“Unless the pace picks up dramatically, the deadline seems unachievable,” the analyst said.
“Government has options such as bringing in more contractors, and hopefully that will be done.
"That road is a key factor in the economy and must be brought back to life without any more delays.”
The analyst also pointed to contractor capacity challenges, particularly when government payments are delayed.
“It appears some of the contractors have capacity issues in terms of both plant and capital. As a result, whenever government delays paying, they are unable to function effectively,” the analyst said.
However, government officials maintain that the project is progressing well and insist the rehabilitation could be completed much sooner than critics predict.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Richard Moyo said works began in earnest in August last year and were on track, barring disruptions such as funding delays and heavy rains.
“We started last year rehabilitating the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway," he said.
"We started in August, so their target is eight to 10 months, and that is if there are no financial disturbances.
“We are looking forward to August or September this year for the rehabilitation programme to be completed. The pace they are using is very good."
Moyo acknowledged that the rainy season had slowed progress in some areas, but said contractors resumed work whenever conditions allowed.
“The rains have been a challenge, disturbing work here and there, but once it stops, they work,” he said.
Despite the assurances, questions remain over whether the current incremental approach — where small sections are opened intermittently — can deliver a fully rehabilitated highway within the promised timeframe.
With the road central to tourism, trade and regional connectivity, stakeholders say timely completion will be a key test of the government’s capacity to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects as promised.
