Maphisa residents urge completion of stalled projects

Residents in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, have welcomed visible infrastructure development ahead of Independence Day commemorations but say unfinished projects and service delivery gaps remain a concern that now requires urgent attention.

Community leaders and residents said government-led works brought noticeable improvements, particularly in schools and selected public facilities, though they warned that the long-term impact will depend on whether stalled projects are completed.

Speaking in the area, Mahetshe village head Shakespeare Ndlovu said the community had witnessed steady activity in the run-up to the national event, especially in education infrastructure.

"From day one till the 18th, we are grateful… we saw the hard work. People were working every day," he said, pointing to upgrades at a local school, including new classroom blocks and computer facilities.

However, Ndlovu stressed that infrastructure must now translate into tangible outcomes.

"The road is the major pillar for everything. If there are no roads, there is a huge problem," he said, adding that water access and the sustainability of community projects remain pressing issues.

He also raised concern that some development initiatives risk collapsing once initial project teams leave, calling for stronger follow-through.

Another resident, Mncedisi Mavuso Tshabalala of Johanna Mafuyana Township, said while progress was evident, critical infrastructure gaps persist.

He cited partial works on key roads, including the Bulawayo–Maphisa route, noting that some sections had been stripped of old tar without full restoration.

"The road is still like that… worse than what it was before," he said.

Tshabalala also said residents were hopeful that contractors would return to complete outstanding works, including the Nyongolo vocational training centre, which is expected to be completed in November.

Infrastructure concerns have also drawn attention beyond the community. Bulawayo mayor David Coltart described the Bulawayo–Kezi road as "extremely dangerous," warning that incomplete works and narrow bridges pose risks to motorists.

While acknowledging ongoing construction, he expressed hope that contractors would remain on site until full completion.

Independence Day preparations in Zimbabwe are often accompanied by accelerated infrastructure projects, including road rehabilitation, school upgrades and public facility construction in host provinces.

In Maphisa, these efforts included improvements to schools and the ongoing development of the Nyongolo vocational training centre, alongside roadworks across the district.

However, residents say the key question now is sustainability.

"We will be watching if these projects are being done," Ndlovu said, reflecting a broader sentiment in the community that completion and maintenance will determine whether the development push delivers lasting value.