…as Minister Mhona updates Parliament on rain-damaged roads in marginalized district

Binga- Government is pursuing a Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement to rehabilitate the crucial Karoi-Binga-Cross Dete road, which serves as the shortest route from Harare to Victoria Falls, amid worsening road conditions caused by incessant rains across the country.

Responding to a parliamentary question from Binga South member of parliament (MP), Fanuel Cumanzala on the state of roads in the district, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona told the National Assembly that an investor has already submitted an expression of interest for the Karoi-Binga-Cross Dete road rehabilitation, which is currently under consideration.

“The Karoi-Binga-Cross Dete road has been earmarked for rehabilitation under a Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The investor has submitted their expression of interest, which is under consideration,” Minister Mhona said.

The 192-kilometre Karoi-Binga Road serves as a secondary trunk route linking Hurungwe in Mashonaland West and Nyaminyami, transitioning towards Midlands and Matabeleland North. Currently, only 62 kilometres of the route is surfaced, with the remaining 130 kilometres comprising gravel sections that have been severely impacted by the ongoing rains.

“Works are underway to upgrade the gravel sections to a surfaced standard to improve transport efficiency, reduce travel time and enhance access to markets and key destinations, including the Victoria Falls corridor. The roads have outlived theor lifespan,” the Minister added.

Cumanzala had specifically requested updates on four critical roads: Karoi to Binga Centre Road, Binga Centre to Cross Dete Road, Turn off Kariangwe to Lusulo Road, and Gwai to Lusulo Road, noting that their condition had been “worsened by the incessant rains.”

Minister Mhona acknowledged that various roads and structures within Binga District “have outlived their lifespan and are due for rehabilitation,” highlighting the strategic importance of the district which links Mashonaland West and Midlands to Matabeleland North provinces.

“The district also links Mashonaland West and Midlands to Matabeleland North Provinces. It provides the shortest route from Harare to Victoria Falls,” he said.

Ongoing repairs

On the Kariangwe-Lusulo and Gwai-Lusulo roads, the Minister reported that works are currently ongoing to repair structures that had been destroyed by rain.

“The Ministry is also engaging contractors on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road to attend to structures closer to the roads on which they are undertaking works on,” Hon. Mhona said.

He indicated that comprehensive assessments have been completed for all other roads within the district, with costs for rehabilitation and upgrading from gravel to surfaced roads already calculated.

“The Ministry will further assess and submit requests for funding for the full rehabilitation of the roads as a long-term, sustainable measure. These works will be gradually carried out as funds become available,” he assured.

In the interim, the Ministry, together with stakeholders in the district, will continue maintenance works through re-gravelling and pothole patching to ensure basic access for communities relying on these roads to reach markets, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

MP demands action, not indefinite timelines

Speaking after the Minister’s response, Cumanzala, welcomed the update but pressed for greater urgency and accountability.

“I appreciate the response given by the Minister, which acknowledges the critical importance of the Karoi–Binga–Cross Dete Road and other key routes in Binga District and the wider Zambezi Valley. However, what remains a major concern is the absence of clear, time-bound implementation plans,” Cumanzala said.

He noted that while some works are underway—particularly the upgrading of the Karoi–Binga Road and emergency repairs on the Kariangwe–Lusulo and Gwai–Lusulo roads—these efforts must now move beyond assessment and intention.

“For far too long, the people of Binga and the Zambezi Valley have endured poor road infrastructure, which continues to limit access to markets, healthcare, and education,” the MP said.

He warned that reliance on processes such as Public Private Partnerships, where expressions of interest remain under consideration, cannot be allowed to delay urgent development. “Our communities cannot operate on indefinite timelines,” he stressed.

Cumanzala called for a clear, action-oriented roadmap with defined timelines, budget commitments, and measurable milestones for each of the strategic roads.

“What we are calling for is a clear, action-oriented roadmap with defined timelines, budget commitments, and measurable milestones for each of these strategic roads. The people of Binga deserve to know when these roads will be completed—not just that they are planned,” he said.

He emphasised that road infrastructure in the region is not a luxury but a necessity for economic inclusion and national integration, noting that Binga is a critical link between provinces and forms part of the shortest route to Victoria Falls.

“I therefore urge the Ministry to expedite the approval processes, mobilise adequate funding, and provide Parliament and the public with a time-bound implementation schedule. Anything short of that risks perpetuating the marginalisation that communities in Binga and the Zambezi Valley have experienced for decades,” Cumanzala concluded.

Binga District, one of Zimbabwe’s most marginalized areas, has long faced infrastructure challenges that hinder residents’ access to essential services and economic opportunities. The rehabilitation of the road network is expected to significantly improve livelihoods by connecting communities to markets and reducing travel times to critical facilities.