Govt commissions Harare‑Bulawayo toll plaza, projects economic boom

NORTON - Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona has officially opened the Expanded Norton Toll Plaza, a development expected to reduce congestion, enhance revenue collection and stimulate economic growth along the Harare‑Bulawayo highway.  

Speaking at the commissioning, Mhona underscored the importance of tolling points in maintaining Zimbabwe's road network, highlighting their role in generating revenue for road maintenance and facilitating seamless transit. He announced plans to introduce all‑electronic tolling systems to enable cashless transactions and ease congestion.  

"This expanded toll plaza will reduce travel time, enhance user experience and minimise disruptions to traffic flow. The installation of modern payment systems and electronic tolling will not only reduce waiting times but also promote the use of cashless transactions, providing added convenience, transparency and security for all road users," Mhona said.  

He added: "We reaffirm the Ministry's support and guarantee transparency and our commitment to modern, electronic revenue collection systems to minimise human intervention and cash handling, thereby reducing revenue leakages. Through regular audits, parliamentary oversight and the requirement for ZINARA to present its budgets and reports for legislative oversight, the Ministry has instituted a culture of scrutiny to rebuild public trust in the road administration sector."  

The project forms part of government's broader infrastructure drive under National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030. Mhona praised ZINARA's board and management for delivering the facility and urged stakeholders to continue improving the country's road network.  

The toll plaza is expected to boost the local economy by attracting businesses and creating jobs. Mhona also stressed the importance of road safety during the festive season, urging drivers to exercise caution.  

Looking ahead, Mhona said the commissioning sets a positive tone for 2026, signalling government's dedication to expanding and rehabilitating toll plazas to meet the demands of a growing society.  

Meanwhile, InstaToll Zimbabwe operations manager George Mufuka said the operator is committed to ensuring that the road network system enables motorists and travellers to conduct business easily.  

"So as InstaToll, we make sure that the infrastructure established commensurate with the expected economic prospects of everyone. We complement this using modern technologies to ensure ease of doing business and eliminate revenue leakages or unnecessary delays through comprehensive but flexible facilities," Mufuka said.