BULAWAYO, Mar. 12 (NewsDay Live) – Government has stepped up oversight of contractors rebuilding the strategic Bulawayo–Maphisa highway, with Transport Minister Felix Mhona warning that companies involved will be held accountable for the quality, pace and technical standards of the work.
Speaking during an inspection tour this week, Mhona said authorities were closely scrutinising contractors’ methods as Zimbabwe accelerates efforts to rehabilitate key transport corridors that support trade and economic activity.
He stressed the visit was a hands-on assessment aimed at ensuring work meets engineering requirements and long-term durability standards.
“And I am happy that as you then move, seeing the work ethic of our contractors,” Mhona said while addressing officials and engineers on site.
“Where we are saying it’s not just 24-7. I am happy that you have seen the contractors — they are also ready and they must be accountable to whatever they do.”
His remarks signal a tougher stance as the government pushes ahead with a nationwide road reconstruction drive to modernise infrastructure degraded by years of underinvestment.
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The Bulawayo–Maphisa route is a key economic corridor linking Zimbabwe’s second-largest city with districts in Matabeleland South. It supports the movement of agricultural produce, livestock and mining inputs and feeds into regional trade routes.
Sections of the highway have long been plagued by deep potholes and structural failures, raising transport costs, slowing freight movement and drawing complaints from motorists and businesses.
Mhona said contractors must follow proper engineering procedures rather than rely on short-term fixes that shorten the road’s lifespan.
“We are here today to interrogate how they do this — whether they are doing asphalt overlay, whether they are reconstructing,” he said.
Officials accompanying the minister inspected several sections of the highway where different rehabilitation techniques are being applied depending on the condition of the underlying structure. Engineers note that asphalt overlays can restore surface quality on moderately damaged sections.
Mhona said inspection visits were meant to ensure contractors apply appropriate solutions rather than cutting corners.
“We are here to interrogate the process,” he said, adding that contractors must remain accountable at every stage of the project.
Zimbabwe has increasingly relied on local contractors to implement road rehabilitation programmes under a broader infrastructure strategy aimed at improving logistics networks and lowering the cost of doing business.
Authorities say building the capacity of domestic construction companies is central to the country’s infrastructure ambitions, though stricter oversight is needed to maintain consistent quality.
Mhona said the government had already observed encouraging commitment from contractors working on the Bulawayo–Maphisa corridor.
“I am happy that you have seen the contractors,” he said. “They are ready.”
But he stressed that readiness alone would not be enough, adding that contractors would ultimately be judged on the results delivered on the ground.
Analysts say the government’s tighter monitoring reflects lessons from past road projects where weak supervision allowed substandard work, leading to rapid deterioration after completion.
The Bulawayo–Maphisa rehabilitation is part of a broader programme targeting major highways linking industrial centres, agricultural zones and border posts that handle regional trade.
For businesses and communities in Matabeleland South, the condition of the Bulawayo–Maphisa highway has long been a major concern.
Local farmers and livestock producers who depend on the route to move goods to processing centres and export markets have welcomed the rehabilitation works.
Mhona said the government will continue on-site inspections as construction progresses to ensure contractors maintain both momentum and quality.
For communities along the corridor, the outcome will determine whether the rebuilt road can support heavy traffic and withstand harsh weather over the long term.