Tinotenda Hove – Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is in Manicaland today, continuing a nationwide tour of economic projects that critics say appears designed to keep him occupied in remote provinces while key political developments unfold elsewhere.

Dr Chiwenga is expected to complete the tour on Friday after visiting several companies in the province.

His itinerary includes Dorowa Minerals in Dorowa, Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera and Verify Engineering in Mutare as he moves through projects that the Government claims are central to economic recovery.

The visits come as authorities say they want to “capitalise on minerals that are on demand and develop local industries through value addition, beneficiation and industrialisation to promote long-term national development and stability.”

However, observers note that the repeated provincial tours come at a time when the country’s industries continue to struggle, raising questions about whether the trips are delivering tangible results or merely serving political optics.

Dorowa Minerals Limited, Zimbabwe’s sole phosphate mine, once produced about 150 000 tonnes annually, but output reportedly collapsed to just 3 500 tonnes, highlighting years of decline in the sector. Officials say a US$5.3 million loan facility has been secured for Phase 1 of the plant’s restoration, although doubts remain over how quickly the project can restore meaningful production.

Verify Engineering, described as a major gas producer, is now said to be supplying international markets even as many local industries continue to face funding shortages, aging equipment and declining productivity.

Government officials insist the Vice President’s tour is meant to give impetus to high-impact projects aligned with the country’s economic blueprint. Yet critics say the endless provincial visits risk becoming routine public relations exercises while deeper structural problems in the economy remain unresolved.

Dr Chiwenga is accompanied by Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza and Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Engineer Amos Marawa, among other senior Government officials.

The Vice President has already toured Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Midlands and Masvingo provinces, a schedule that has kept him moving across distant regions of the country for weeks.

While authorities present the trips as part of efforts to drive development and industrialisation, political observers increasingly question whether the relentless travel schedule is also keeping the Vice President away from the centre of power in Harare at a time when internal political manoeuvres within the ruling establishment are widely believed to be intensifying.