Members of Parliament have urged Treasury to urgently release funding for major road projects, warning that delays are undermining trade, tourism and livelihoods in Matabeleland and other parts of Zimbabwe.
Debating the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development’s report on the Ministry’s 2025 third and fourth quarter budget performance, legislators said slow disbursement of funds was delaying the completion of strategic highways, including the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road and the Harare-Beitbridge Road.
The committee reported that although the Ministry had made progress on several infrastructure projects, only 43 kilometres of the targeted 88 kilometres on the Harare-Beitbridge Road had been completed by the end of the fourth quarter because competing funding priorities diverted resources from the project.
The committee also found that contractors remained on site after Government focused on clearing outstanding payment certificates while waiting for more funding.
Witness Jonga said funding delays had become one of the biggest obstacles to completing nationally important roads.
“We discussed it as a Committee and resolved that the roads should be completed. However, they were saying that the disbursements from Finance were taking too long, thus the project is taking too long to complete.”
He also highlighted the importance of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road to Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
“We also have the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road… It facilitates the movement of tourists and other visitors to this country, which is endowed with natural beauty.”
Another legislator, Joseph Mapiki, described the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road as critical to the country’s economy.
“I want to believe that it is the backbone of our economy, as we use it for our commerce and it brings in a lot of money.”
Mutsa Murombedzi also drew attention to the Karoi-Binga Road, saying it had become a major bottleneck for communities and tourism.
“The Karoi-Binga Road is a strategic link to Lake Kariba again, as well as the Binga District, unlocking huge potential for tourism, fisheries, as well as cross-border trade with Zambia.”
He added that poor road conditions were discouraging investment and affecting livelihoods.
“These projects… cannot continue to languish in budgetary limbo. Therefore, we must urge Treasury to urgently release funds that are allocated so that construction as well as rehabilitation can proceed without further delay.”
The committee concluded by recommending that the Ministry of Finance ensure “timely and consistent disbursements throughout each financial year” to allow projects to be completed on schedule. It also recommended that delays on the Harare-Beitbridge Road be addressed by 30 September 2026, warning that failure to meet targets compromises regional connectivity and economic integration.