The long-awaited rehabilitation of the Maitengwe road in Bulilima is showing visible progress, even as other parts of the constituency continue to suffer from poor road conditions.
Bulilima lawmaker Dingumuzi Phuti said last season’s heavy rains temporarily slowed construction efforts, but the project has since resumed.
The Maitengwe road is a key economic link leading to the Maitengwe Border Post, which connects Zimbabwe to Botswana and supports cross-border trade for communities in Bulilima and surrounding areas.
Phuti said the phased construction approach will eventually extend connectivity deeper into the district.
He explained that, beyond the Maitengwe route, similar works are underway on Thekwani Road, where another 10-kilometre stretch is also being handled by Enock Constructions.
Further extensions are expected to be rolled out in phases, eventually linking communities towards Bhagani, Nyele, and beyond.
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“The commitment by the government is really a shock to many people in Bulilima who had never seen road construction in their lifetime. We are very pleased with the developments and are only awaiting completion and commissioning,” Phuti said.
He added that continued upgrades could eventually improve access from Thekwani Road towards Ndolwane and Makhulela once subsequent phases are completed.
However, he acknowledged that major challenges persist in other parts of Bulilima, particularly on gravel roads that remain in poor condition.
The Bulilima Rural District Council, he said, has committed to grading gravel roads following an allocation from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) fund.
Among the worst affected roads is the Fakanyawu route, which runs from Ntoli past Wuwana towards Gwama, Makhulela, and Siwowo areas, where sections remain severely degraded.
Other problematic stretches include roads around Ntoli and Gambu, where residents continue to struggle with access—particularly during the rainy season due to damaged crossings and bridges.
Phuti also highlighted plans for a broader road network rehabilitation that would connect Masendu through Muke, Gonde, Demateme, and ultimately toward Matiwaza, although he noted that funding constraints remain a major challenge.
He further pointed to ongoing issues linked to previous contracting arrangements under the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA)—formerly the District Development Fund (DDF)—which he said have affected continuity in some road works.
Phuti is also the deputy minister for Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.