Gwanda-Manama Road to be rehabilitated

The Government is set to commence rehabilitation works on the damaged sections of the Gwanda-Manama Road once the ongoing tendering process has been finalised, bringing hope to motorists and communities that depend on this vital transport corridor.

The development follows sustained lobbying by Gwanda South legislator and Deputy Minister for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Omphile Marupi, together with other local leaders who have been calling for urgent repairs - particularly near the Mawane area, where the road has become almost impassable.

The Gwanda-Manama Road is one of the busiest routes in the district, linking Gwanda to the Mlambapeli Border Post, Manama Hospital, irrigation schemes, cattle sales pens, and mining sites, while also connecting to Beitbridge and Kezi.

Over the years, the road has suffered extensive damage due to heavy rainfall and the movement of large trucks, leaving about 10 kilometres between Garanyemba and Ntepe severely eroded. Several other stretches extending toward Manama also require urgent maintenance.

Dr Marupi welcomed the progress made so far, describing the project as "a much-awaited development."

"We engaged engineers from the Ministry of Transport a few months back to assess the road and appreciate the extent of the damage," he said. "It's a relief that something is finally being done as the project has reached the tendering stage. This road plays a crucial role in the local economy - from transporting irrigation produce to facilitating livestock sales and mining activities."

He added that the route's importance extends beyond the district, as it links Gwanda to the Mlambapeli Border Post, one of the busiest in Matabeleland South.

Matabeleland South Provincial Roads Engineer, Mangisi Nkomo, confirmed that the rehabilitation project will involve reconstructing the severely damaged 10-kilometre stretch and resurfacing a three-kilometre section in the Mawane area.

"The state of the Guyu-Manama Road has deteriorated significantly, frustrating local communities and road users," said Eng. Nkomo. "Following an assessment, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has flighted a tender for reconstruction, and we are confident qualified contractors will deliver the required works efficiently."

Motorists and residents welcomed the news. Mr. John Sibanda from Manama said the road's poor condition has caused damage to vehicles and frequent confrontations with authorities over roadworthiness. Villager Mr. Jethro Ndlovu added that community efforts to patch the road with sand have failed, and only a permanent fix will solve the problem.

Under the Second Republic, the Government has prioritised infrastructure rehabilitation as a cornerstone of Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve an upper middle-income economy by the end of the decade.