Economic woes cast shadow over Harare's Sadc summit prep

ZIMBABWE is in a spirited frenzy to revamp roads leading to the venue of the upcoming 44th Southern African Development Commit (Sadc) Summit, but critics are not impressed.

Scheduled for August this year, the summit marks President Emmerson Mnangagwa's assumption of the bloc's chairmanship for a year. The event, to be hosted in Harare, holds significant potential for global recognition and the strengthening of Africa's international relations.

Following Zimbabwe's disputed election in August 2023, the government has taken action to revamp roads, some of which previously had no potholes. The 16-member state summit will take place at the new Parliament in Mount Hampden, approximately 25 kilometers northwest of Harare. The reconstruction of the 25km stretch from Julius Nyerere Way via Bindura Road highlights the government's efforts to accommodate the expected delegates.

However, rather than addressing the broader issue of the city's crumbling infrastructure, the focus has been on selectively paving roads leading to luxury hotels and connecting the airport to the main convention center. This targeted approach has sparked outrage among residents, who feel neglected in favor of hosting high-profile delegates.

While workers labor under the scorching sun to hastily lay down new tar, major arteries used by ordinary Zimbabweans continue to crumble. Despite years of neglect, the sudden burst of activity is evident in specific areas of the city, raising questions about the government's priorities.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has reported progress in rehabilitating roads leading to the new Parliament, assuring completion within the scheduled timeframe. However, whether this fervor for road repair will extend beyond the summit remains uncertain. Will the city slip back into its usual state of disrepair once the delegates have departed? Only time will tell.