The government has been forced to implement a 24-hour shift as it runs behind deadline to complete various projects in Maphisa, Matabeleland South ahead of this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
Maphisa hosts this year’s commemorations amid protests from some sections of society over the unresolved Gukurahundi massacres.
Unarmed civilians were killed and dumped in a mine shaft in Maphisa.
Authorities, however, said government departments are speeding up infrastructure development with attention shifting to completing upgrades at the main stadium and finalising legacy projects such as the emerging Isizinda Culture Centre.
Officials said work is now happening round the clock to meet deadlines.
Site engineer Shawn Mukwamba confirmed that major components of the stadium upgrade are nearing completion, including turf installation and water drainage systems.
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“We are done with the turf; we have installed pipes that will take water from the stadium,” he said during a tour last week.
“Works are now on the terraces, which we have started with the time left. We are putting floodlights to ensure that we work at night so that we meet our deadline.”
Construction teams are also pushing ahead with developments at the Isizinda Culture Centre, which is expected to showcase the cultural heritage of the region.
Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture Permanent secretary, Nicholas Moyo, expressed satisfaction with progress at the facility.
“I am so happy with the progress at this culture centre. This culture centre will showcase the culture of the people here; it will depict an original Ndebele homestead,” he said.
Authorities said infrastructure projects extend beyond the main Independence Day, forming part of a broader suite of legacy projects in Matabeleland South.
These include the Filabusi Registry, the Gwanda–Maphisa Road, the Bulawayo–Kezi Road, the Plumtree–Maitengwe Road and the construction of 40 science laboratories across the province.