MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO-THE GOVERNMENT has released funds for the construction of the much awaited second Mucheke Bridge including the completion of the 77km remaining stretch along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira told The Midweek Watch during a brief interview at his Benjamin Burombo office recently.
“Mucheke bridge construction is going to start before the end of the month as the Government has released funds for work to begin.
“The contractor needs time to mobilise equipment and workforce before construction begin, which should be at the end of March the latest,” said Minister Chadzamira.
Mucheke bridge requires US$3.5m and the remaining 77km stretch will gobble US125m according the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development deputy director construction Engineer Virginia Mawere.
Mucheke Bridge is set to be a game changer when completed as it will ease congestion at the adjacent age old bridge which connects traffic that goes to as far as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Masimba Holdings, had stopped construction of Mucheke Bridge in 2024 due to non payment of historical debt by the government and they are bound to resume work anytime soon following the release of the funds.
“We are processing payments for the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road project.
“All 5 contractors shall be fully mobilized by the end of March.
“Payments are on going. They would not be mobilizing without payment,” said Eng Mawere.
“We have started mobilizing in the hope that there is continuous flow of payments from Government to cover historical debt,” Masimba Holdings secretary, Pearl Mutiti said.
The heavy continuous downpours witnessed this rainy season caused immense damage to the alternative Chimusana Bridge that also connects the CBD with the populous Mucheke suburb, putting a lot of pressure on the only bridge that is functional thereby causing heavy congestion lasting sometimes the whole day.
Masvingo Province Roads Engineer Augustine Chigwereve said they expect the bridge to be commissioned mid-year all things being equal as the contractor has started mobilizing to go back on site by end of March.
