Residents of the mining town of Zvishavane are questioning the visible impact of a ZW$4.8 million (approximately US$185,000) disbursement from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) for road maintenance earlier this year.
The funds were allocated under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP).
Despite the allocation, residents say most roads remain in poor condition, characterised by deep potholes, cracked surfaces, and washed-out gravel sections. Driving has become increasingly difficult, especially in high-density suburbs like Mandava, Maglas, and Highlands Park.
“Roads in Zvishavane are still in bad condition despite reports that money was allocated,” said local resident Stanley Chaputika. "The only visible work is near Midlands Park Flats, while the rest of the town is the same.”
Christopher Jaravaza, a resident of Highlands Park, highlighted the financial burden caused by the poor infrastructure. Potholes are affecting our car suspensions and slowing business. We are paying rates, so we expect the council to respond urgently,” he stressed.
ZINARA chief executive officer, Nkosinathi Ncube, confirmed that the ZW$4.8 million was transferred to the local authority in full and is ring-fenced specifically for road rehabilitation works.
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He, however, noted that the Zvishavane Town Council, as the implementing authority, is responsible for the commencement of physical projects. Ncube attributed slow progress in some local authorities to administrative hurdles such as tendering, procurement procedures, and material supply challenges.
“ZINARA expects every dollar disbursed for road rehabilitation to be used efficiently, transparently, and strictly for its intended purpose,” Ncube added.
Zvishavane Town Council chairperson Takarangana Keta defended the council's progress, stating that the money is being used for ongoing maintenance rather than new road construction.
"The work is still in progress," Keta said, detailing recent efforts. “Roads around Edgars, Agribank, and parts of the CBD have been patched with gravel and compacted. The next stage is to apply tar patches, which we have already purchased.”
Keta also highlighted the high cost of repairs, noting that fixing a single pothole costs between US20andUS40, while building a kilometre of new road requires an estimated US$1 million.
He clarified the council's jurisdiction, explaining that they are concentrating on municipal roads. Major routes like Robert Mugabe Way and Masvingo Road fall under the Ministry of Transport, while mining compound roads are the responsibility of Shabani Mine.
The allocation to Zvishavane is part of the ZW$3.8 billion ZINARA had disbursed to road authorities by June 2025, representing a 30 percent utilisation of its total ZW$12.7 billion annual budget.
The ERRP, introduced in 2021, aims to restore road infrastructure nationwide following damage from heavy rains and years of limited maintenance. According to ZINARA’s mid-year report, urban councils across the country received ZW$149.5 million out of a total allocation of ZW$323 million, achieving a 46 percent utilisation rate.
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