Frustration is boiling over among Bulawayo residents as the long-delayed Egodini Mall redevelopment project continues to miss targets, more than a decade after it was first announced.
The project was meant to transform the Basch Street Terminus into a modern transport and commercial hub.
Upon competition, the mall was projected to have a shopping complex, formal vending bays, and improved infrastructure to ease congestion in the city centre.
But progress remains painfully slow.
“We now feel it’s useless to make any comments or contributions,” said Winos Dube, chairperson of the Bulawayo United Residents Association.
“The project started with set deadlines but to our surprise, not one deadline has been met yet.
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“This shows a total lack of commitment.”
When unveiled, the Egodini development promised to decongest the central business district, create hundreds of vendor bays, and boost the local economy.
Instead, residents say traffic remains terrible particularly on 6th Avenue, where gridlock persists.
The Bulawayo City Council recently brought in local firm Better Brands Construction to work alongside main developer Terracotta Trading, hoping to revive the stalled project.
The latest deadline extension pushes key obligations to September 2 this year.
But Dube said residents have been left in the dark.
“Nobody is giving us feedback. We are left asking many questions without answers,” he said.
Dube also noted that informal trading continues in undesignated areas, undermining efforts to create an orderly city.
“We had anticipated that most vendors would be accommodated within the mall,” he said. “This has not been achieved.”
While part of the transport hub has been partially opened, residents argue the broader benefits remain unrealised.
BCC authorities have urged patience alleging new construction arrangements is taking effect but the people of Bulawayo are still waiting to see if Egodini will finally deliver on its long-standing promises.