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Sibanda calls for ban on road coal transport to revive NRZ
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Outspoken Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson Jabulani Sibanda has called for a ban on the transportation of coal by road, urging the government to enact laws that protect the ailing National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and the country's deteriorating road infrastructure.
Addressing delegates at a recent inter-district meeting of the Children of Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association, Sibanda took aim at the heavy reliance on haulage trucks to transport coal from Hwange Colliery Company Limited. He said the practice is damaging national infrastructure and undermining the capacity of the state-owned rail service.
"We want to ensure that there must be laws that protect NRZ - no transporting of coal from Hwange by road. By that, we will be protecting the roads and also redirecting NRZ to employ more people," Sibanda said.
He added that beyond economic concerns, the overuse of roads by coal trucks has had devastating consequences for rural communities and livestock. "Just drive along the roads - you will see many donkeys and cows that have been run down by trucks. We want to protect the people's wealth," he said.
The NRZ, once the backbone of Zimbabwe's logistics network, is now operating at a fraction of its capacity due to years of underinvestment, mismanagement, and ageing infrastructure. This has forced businesses across sectors to turn to road transport, despite significantly higher costs.
Experts say transporting minerals, grain, and fertilisers by rail is up to 80% cheaper than by road. However, with NRZ's limited rolling stock, unpredictable schedules, and outdated equipment, many companies have no alternative but to use trucks.
Sibanda's remarks come amid growing calls for the government to prioritise the revival of NRZ as a strategic enabler of industrial recovery, trade, and economic efficiency. Stakeholders have warned that without urgent interventions, Zimbabwe risks further deterioration of its roads, higher transportation costs, and missed opportunities for job creation within the rail sector.
Addressing delegates at a recent inter-district meeting of the Children of Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association, Sibanda took aim at the heavy reliance on haulage trucks to transport coal from Hwange Colliery Company Limited. He said the practice is damaging national infrastructure and undermining the capacity of the state-owned rail service.
"We want to ensure that there must be laws that protect NRZ - no transporting of coal from Hwange by road. By that, we will be protecting the roads and also redirecting NRZ to employ more people," Sibanda said.
The NRZ, once the backbone of Zimbabwe's logistics network, is now operating at a fraction of its capacity due to years of underinvestment, mismanagement, and ageing infrastructure. This has forced businesses across sectors to turn to road transport, despite significantly higher costs.
Experts say transporting minerals, grain, and fertilisers by rail is up to 80% cheaper than by road. However, with NRZ's limited rolling stock, unpredictable schedules, and outdated equipment, many companies have no alternative but to use trucks.
Sibanda's remarks come amid growing calls for the government to prioritise the revival of NRZ as a strategic enabler of industrial recovery, trade, and economic efficiency. Stakeholders have warned that without urgent interventions, Zimbabwe risks further deterioration of its roads, higher transportation costs, and missed opportunities for job creation within the rail sector.
Source - Southern Eye
