ED Orders Monthly US$5M Disbursement Towards Gwayi...

ED Orders Monthly US$5M Disbursement Towards Gwayi-Shangani Dam Completion

Oscar J Jeke- Zim Now Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed the Ministry of Finance to disburse US$5 million every month toward the completion of the long-delayed Gwayi-Shangani Dam project, injecting renewed momentum into one of Zimbabwe’s most ambitious water infrastructure initiatives.

The directive, announced following a recent tour of the construction site, comes after years of delays largely attributed to erratic funding.

Under construction since 2017, the dam is regarded as a critical solution to water shortages in Bulawayo and a cornerstone of the broader National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project.

According to Engineer Takudza Makwangudze, Director of Engineering and Hydrological Services at the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), the project still requires an additional US$48 million to reach full completion by the end of 2025. So far, US$10 million has been released, enabling the construction of four metres of the dam wall.

With consistent monthly injections of US$4 million, progress could continue at a rate of two metres per month.

“What I would want to say is that for this dam to be successfully completed, we need continuous disbursements of at least US$4 million every month. This will allow us to build two metres of the wall each month,” said Makwangudze.

The dam wall currently stands at 39 metres of the required 72 metres. Without consistent financial support, the timeline for completion remains uncertain. The full scope of the project—which includes a hydroelectric power plant and pump house—brings the total projected cost to approximately US$84 million.

Felix Maburutse, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Resettlement, emphasized the importance of sustained financing during the site visit.

“We will also lobby Treasury as a committee to ensure that the required funds are released for the completion of the project,” he said.

Lake Gwayi-Shangani is expected to transform the region’s water infrastructure, serving not only Bulawayo but also communities in Binga, Hwange, Lupane, and other areas along the pipeline route. It will provide both urban and agricultural water supplies, support energy generation, and contribute to rural industrialisation.