Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Felix Mhona says government will force contractors to redo substandard public infrastructure projects, using the reconstruction of Lorraine Drive in Harare as an example of a tougher stance on construction quality.
Speaking at the official reopening of the road, Mhona acknowledged that the stretch had previously collapsed after being subjected to heavy traffic it was not designed to carry, triggering public criticism of its original construction.
He said the government responded by requiring the contractor responsible to redo the work.
“And you know the history of this road — when we were working on SADC roads, it became one of the detour routes,” Mhona said.
“Apparently heavy traffic was directed onto this stretch, which was not designed to accommodate heavy trucks, and it collapsed. That was a reasonable cause for the citizenry to question how the road was constructed.”
The collapse drew criticism from residents and commuters, highlighting wider concerns about the durability and quality of the country’s infrastructure.
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Mhona said the reconstruction demonstrated the government’s willingness to hold contractors accountable.
“And I am happy that we assured the citizenry that the contractor was going to redo the work,” he said.
“Today we are witnessing this wonderful piece of work that has been done.”
He said the approach reflected a broader shift in how government oversees infrastructure development.
“But also to say to the people of Zimbabwe that under the Second Republic, championed by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, we take quality issues seriously,” Mhona said.
“Whenever you do your work and it is not done properly, we mandate you to redo it.”
The rebuilt road includes pedestrian walkways and designated bus stops, which Mhona said reflected a push towards modern road design standards.
“I am happy that today we are witnessing a modern road with walkways and bus stops, which is the ideal scenario going forward as a ministry,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure has come under strain in recent years as government attempts to rehabilitate and upgrade sections of the national network amid fiscal constraints and rising traffic volumes.
Mhona said the country maintains a vast road network — about 90,000 kilometres — which presents a significant financial burden.
“But we are happy to say that under very difficult circumstances we are managing our roads,” he said.
Unlike many developing countries that rely heavily on multilateral financing, Zimbabwe is largely funding road rehabilitation projects domestically, he added.
“We are using our own resources, unlike other jurisdictions that have facilities from the World Bank and IMF,” Mhona said.
“We are drawing from the same pool where other government departments also have to compete for funding.”
Zimbabwe’s limited access to concessional financing from international financial institutions has forced the government to rely largely on domestic revenues and special infrastructure funds to support such projects.
Mhona also apologised to residents for the disruption caused during the reconstruction works.
“I also want to apologise to the people of this neighbourhood who were inconvenienced,” he said.
The road had been used as a detour during earlier works on regional routes linked to Southern African Development Community transport corridors, increasing pressure on the stretch.
Mhona said government would now rehabilitate temporary detour roads created during the construction period.
“But the good news is that we will also be attending to the detours that were used around this area,” he said.
He also called on businesses and communities to help maintain public infrastructure.
“Above all, I want to thank stakeholders who have volunteered to help maintain this road,” Mhona said.
“That is a culture we are appealing for — for the people of Zimbabwe to help maintain our infrastructure.”
The reopening of Lorraine Drive forms part of the transport ministry’s broader programme to rehabilitate key urban and intercity routes as traffic volumes increase and ageing infrastructure deteriorates.