Zimbabwe govt plugs tollgate leakages

Zimbabwe is set to roll out all-electronic tolling (AET) systems nationwide as part of a government drive to modernise toll collection and curb revenue leakages, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona announced last week. The announcement was made during the commissioning of the newly expanded Norton toll plaza, a key link on the busy Harare–Bulawayo highway.

Minister Mhona said the government is embracing technology to create a more efficient, transparent, and accountable tolling system. The envisaged platform will incorporate high-speed cameras, 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, and RFID technology, allowing vehicles to pass through tollgates without stopping. He emphasised that such measures will not only reduce congestion but also ensure that all collected revenue is channelled directly into road maintenance and infrastructure development.

"The future of tolling is electronic, efficient and transparent," Mhona said, adding that the move will restore public confidence and significantly improve accountability in the management of toll funds.

The Norton toll plaza expansion forms part of the broader modernisation agenda, designed to ease bottlenecks and facilitate smoother transit along the economic corridor. Mhona also unveiled a new post-crash management programme, which will see ambulances and medical personnel stationed at strategic tollgates, including Norton, to provide rapid emergency response within the critical "golden hour" after accidents.

Beyond toll collection, the minister highlighted that plazas often serve as hubs for economic activity, attracting businesses and services that boost local growth and employment. Toll revenues remain a major source of funding for Zimbabwe's road rehabilitation and expansion projects, and the government views the transition to all-electronic tolling as a critical step toward improving efficiency and transparency in this vital sector.