Funding constraints stall Victoria Falls Highway rehab

The Zimbabwean government has admitted that financial constraints are slowing the rehabilitation of the strategic Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway, amid growing concern over deteriorating road conditions affecting tourism, trade and public transport.

The concerns were raised recently in the Senate during discussions on the condition of major highways linking Zimbabwe to regional trade corridors and tourism destinations.

Responding to questions in the Upper House, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona acknowledged that Treasury limitations were hampering progress on the long-running rehabilitation project.

The issue was raised by Senator Apollonia Munzverengwi, who referred to delays experienced during a recent UN Tourism conference associated with First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa. Delegates reportedly arrived after the programme had concluded because of the poor condition of the highway.

She asked whether government could allocate dedicated funding specifically for the rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls Road.

In response, Mhona described the highway as a key tourism and regional transport corridor.

"Visitors to our country often wish to see Victoria Falls, making this road crucial for tourism," he said.

The minister told senators that government was engaging the Ministry of Finance to secure additional funding for the project.

"Our Treasury is limited and when we face financial challenges, we often have to draw from the same resources," Mhona said.

"Therefore, I am informing this Parliament that we are working with the Ministry of Finance so that we get money from Treasury so that the road is completed."

Mhona said eight contractors were currently working on different sections of the highway following mounting complaints from motorists over potholes and damaged road surfaces.

"The road to Victoria Falls was constructed in the 1960s, so the road needs to be rehabilitated to better standards," he said.

The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway is one of Zimbabwe's most important transport routes, linking the country to the tourism hub of Victoria Falls and connecting regional traffic to Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.

Motorists, tourism operators and cross-border transporters have for years raised concerns over potholes, narrow carriageways and delays caused by prolonged rehabilitation works.

The Senate debate also focused on Zimbabwe's participation in regional transport integration projects, particularly the Kazungula transport corridor.

Senator Michael Bimha asked about Zimbabwe's involvement in the Kazungula route project after reports that the country had initially been excluded from the initiative.

Mhona confirmed that Zimbabwe was not originally part of the Kazungula Bridge project, which was initially spearheaded by Zambia and Botswana, but said Zimbabwe later negotiated access to the corridor.

"It is true that when the Kazungula Bridge project began, Zimbabwe was not initially involved," Mhona said.

"However, we later agreed to utilise that same bridge. A committee was established to ensure our participation in the programme."

The minister added that the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge route had increased traffic volumes, with more than 1 000 vehicles reportedly passing through the border town daily.

"After the renovation of Beitbridge Bridge, many travellers have opted for this route which is approximately 200 kilometres shorter," he said.

Mhona also expressed concern over rising road accidents, linking many fatal crashes to speeding on newly rehabilitated highways.

Senator Sengezo Tshabangu told the Senate that Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency figures showed a significant increase in road accidents and fatalities between 2024 and 2025.

In response, Mhona said many accidents were occurring on smooth road sections where motorists were exceeding speed limits.

"Normally, when you check where these accidents are happening, it will be a nice stretch of the road. People are speeding," he said.

The minister revealed that Zimbabwe was losing nearly seven people daily in road accidents.

"It is saddening that we are losing almost seven lives per day on our roads," Mhona said.

"Given the magnitude of our population, which is about 16 million and we are losing over 2 000 souls per annum, it is something that cannot be condoned."

Meanwhile, Senator Jericho Gotora raised concerns over detours along the rehabilitation route, particularly between Mabale and Cross Dete, where communities were reportedly facing transport challenges.

Mhona acknowledged complaints over detours passing through wildlife zones and villages and said authorities had acted after concerns were raised.

"We spoke to the contractor and we quickly closed that road," he said, adding that roads used as temporary detours would be rehabilitated once construction work is complete.