THE government has admitted that financial constraints are slowing the rehabilitation of the strategic Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, even as the poor road conditions continue to disrupt tourism, transport and public travel.
The concerns emerged in the Senate recently after legislators inquired about the state of major highways linking Zimbabwe to regional trade corridors and tourism destinations.
Responding to questions in the Upper House, Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona acknowledged the deteriorating state of the Victoria Falls Road, saying Treasury limitations were affecting the pace of rehabilitation work despite pressure to complete the project.
The issue was raised by Senator Apollonia Munzverengwi, who cited delays experienced during a recent UN Tourism conference linked to First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, where delegates reportedly arrived after the programme had already ended because of the poor state of the road.
She asked: “Is it possible to allocate funds specifically for the rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls Road?”
In response, Mhona described the route as a critical tourism and regional transport artery.
“Visitors to our country often wish to see the Victoria Falls, making this road crucial for tourism,” he said.
He said the government was engaging Treasury to secure dedicated funding for the project.
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“Our Treasury is limited and when we face financial challenges, we often have to draw from the same resources,” Mhona told the Senate.
“Therefore, I am informing this Parliament that we are working with the Ministry of Finance so that we get money from Treasury so that the road is completed.”
The minister said eight contractors were already working along sections of the highway following public complaints over potholes and deteriorating surfaces.
“The road to Victoria Falls was constructed in the 1960s, so the road need to be rehabilitated to better standards,” he said.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is one of Zimbabwe’s most important transport corridors, linking the country to the tourism hub of Victoria Falls and providing access to regional routes connecting Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.
For years, motorists, tourism operators and cross-border transporters have complained about potholes, narrow sections and delays caused by ongoing rehabilitation work.
The Senate debate also highlighted broader concerns around Zimbabwe’s regional transport integration strategy, particularly regarding the Kazungula transport corridor.
Senator Michael Bimha queried the status of Zimbabwe’s participation in the Kazungula route project after earlier reports suggested that the country had initially been excluded.
Mhona confirmed that Zimbabwe was not originally part of the Kazungula Bridge initiative, which was initially developed by Zambia and Botswana, but said Harare later negotiated access into the corridor framework.
“It is true that when the Kazungula Bridge project began, Zimbabwe was not initially involved,” Mhona said.
“However, we later agreed to utilise that same bridge. A committee was established to ensure our participation in the programme.”
He said the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge route had increased traffic volumes, with more than 1 000 vehicles now reportedly passing through the border town daily.
“After the renovation of Beitbridge Bridge, many travellers have opted for this route which is approximately 200 kilometres shorter,” Mhona said.
The minister also linked improved road infrastructure to rising road accidents, warning that speeding on rehabilitated highways was contributing to increasing fatalities.
Senator Sengezo Tshabangu told the Senate that ZimStat figures indicated that road accidents and fatalities had risen significantly between 2024 and 2025.
In response, Mhona said many fatal crashes were occurring on newly-rehabilitated stretches where motorists fail to observe speed limits.
“Normally, when you check where these accidents are happening, it will be a nice stretch of the road. People are speeding,” he said.
Mhona revealed that Zimbabwe was losing nearly seven people daily in road accidents.
“It is saddening that we are losing almost seven lives per day on our roads,” Mhona said.
“Given the magnitude of our population, which is about 16 million and we are losing over 2 000 souls per annum, it is something that cannot be condoned.”
Meanwhile, Senator Jericho Gotora raised concern over detours along the Victoria Falls rehabilitation route, particularly between Mabale and Cross Dete, where communities were reportedly struggling to access transport services.
Mhona acknowledged complaints over detours that were reportedly passing through wildlife zones and villages.
“We spoke to the contractor and we quickly closed that road,” he said, adding that authorities would rehabilitate roads used as temporary detours once construction work was complete.
