Mudenda's Call for more tollgates in Matebeleland sparks outrage

National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda has stirred controversy after calling on the Transport and Infrastructural Development Ministry to erect more tollgates in Matabeleland North, arguing the move would boost government revenue - a proposal that has since drawn criticism from community leaders and political figures.

Speaking during a pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo last week, Mudenda praised Transport Minister Felix Mhona for his consultative leadership and urged him to expand toll infrastructure and introduce weighbridges at strategic points along major highways.

"Through funds from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, while we sort out National Railways of Zimbabwe, can you immediately make sure that we have got weighbridges, especially at strategic tollgates, either on exit or entry, or somewhere in the middle - you do not have to put them everywhere," said Mudenda.

He went on to suggest increasing tollgates along the Bulawayo–Hwange route, from three to five, and adding two more between Cross Dete and Binga, a stretch of about 120 kilometres.

"From Cross Dete to Binga, it is 120km, so it means you have two tollgates between Cross Dete off Victoria Falls to Binga Centre. That will help us to do the fundraising accordingly," he said, adding that toll fees for trucks should also be reviewed upwards.

However, the proposal has been met with widespread criticism in Matabeleland, with community representatives accusing Mudenda of being out of touch with the economic realities facing ordinary citizens.

Nkayi Community Parliament deputy speaker Nkosilathi Ncube said Mudenda's remarks showed insensitivity towards the region's hardships.

"He is speaking for his bread. Why is he not giving an example about other places besides Matabeleland? He is supposed to stand for the Tonga people of Matabeleland but he is busy eating in Harare," Ncube said.

He also argued that vehicle licence fees in Zimbabwe were already significantly higher than those in neighbouring South Africa, making additional tollgates an unfair burden on motorists.

Zapu Bulawayo secretary Vivian Siziba echoed similar sentiments, warning that the cost of increased tollgates would ultimately be passed on to consumers and worsen transport costs.

"That burden is going to be passed on to consumers in general and, in particular, passengers. They cannot incentivise usage of rail transport by imposing exorbitant toll fees. After all, the rail infrastructure is highly dilapidated due to decades of neglect, making rail transport non-existent," said Siziba.

He added that the government should prioritise reviving the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) to ease pressure on the country's road network instead of introducing new road levies.

While Mudenda framed his call as a fiscal strategy to raise funds for infrastructure development, critics argue it risks deepening economic inequality and further alienating rural communities already struggling with poor roads and high transport costs.