WATCH LIVE as Gambakwe unpacks the downing of tools by contractors in Masvingo over non payment.
Projects from the File (Incomplete or Delayed)
Major Water Projects
- Gwayi-Shangani Dam (plus 251–252 km pipeline to Bulawayo and 10 MW mini-hydropower plant) – started 2017, ~70–72% complete as of August 2026.
- Kunzvi Dam (Harare water supply and irrigation) – under construction since ~2021, ~65–71% complete, target end of 2026.
Major Road and Transport Projects
- Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway – ~550 km of ~580 km rehabilitated, ~32 km remaining, target completion 2026.
- Harare–Chirundu Highway – upgrade delayed, full completion now targeted for 2027.
- Chilonga Bridge (Chiredzi, over Runde River) – funding provided in 2026 budget, construction started mid-2026 but not complete.
- Other delayed roads: Karoi–Binga/Siakobvu road (later phases), Harare–Kanyemba dualisation, Chipinge–Mount Selinda, various provincial/urban links, and Mbudzi Interchange (repeated deadline slippages).
Other Notable Incomplete Projects
- Mt Hampden Presidential Villas (18 villas) – missed deadlines (2024, March 2025, June 2026), still incomplete as of mid-2026.
- School construction programme (2018–2023) – targeted 1,800 new schools, only 242 (13.4%) delivered.
- Tertiary education facilities – e.g., Harare Institute of Technology facility (still at foundation stage), NUST student centre (underfunded).
- Power generation expansions – private/coal and solar projects under construction, some phases delayed or slowed.
- Smaller-scale items – irrigation schemes (e.g., Tugwi-Mukosi-related), housing projects, devolution-funded clinics/schools, title-deeds regularisation (e.g., Epworth, slower than promised).
Victoria Falls Specific Projects
- Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway (~440 km) – only ~73 km surfaced by late July 2026, ~367 km incomplete.
- Victoria Falls International Airport Rehabilitation & Expansion – ongoing, target full completion by late 2026.
- Town Water, Sewer, and Land Servicing – Phase 1 (US$5M Mkhosana reservoir) commissioned in 2026; later sewer and treatment phases still outstanding.
- Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bulk Infrastructure – contracts signed, but bulk infrastructure construction remains incomplete.
- Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium (10,000 seats) – foundation laid in 2024, aim for Aug 2026, but pavilion, media centre, and utilities still unfinished.
- Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme (~2,400 MW, US$4.2B–US$4.5B) – still at pre-construction studies, procurement, and financing stages.
- Tourism Infrastructure & Solar – 25 MW Victoria Falls solar plant at ~85% completion; private hotel investments ongoing but some near UNESCO sites face disputes.
- Muda Dam (Chitungwiza): A strategic dam to solve water shortages; hasn’t started due to lack of funding.
- Bulawayo Housing & Sewer Projects: Over 1,500 housing stands are stalled, along with the Deep Section sewer tunnel rehabilitation.
- Gwanda–Maphisa Road: Only 1.2 km out of 66 km had been completed as of March 2026.
- Egodini Redevelopment (Bulawayo): Long-delayed project that may be restarted with a new investor.
- Prevail Group International (PGI) Projects: Multiple government contracts (boreholes, hospitals, housing, solar) have been delayed, incomplete, or have quality issues.
- Filabusi Registry Office & Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic: Both started in the mid-2000s and were still targeted for completion in 2026.
- Hwange Resettlement: Relocation of residents affected by the power station expansion is stalled due to funding shortages.
Currency and Economic Issues
- Currency instability: The new ZiG currency faces high parallel-market volatility and low public confidence, making long-term project budgeting difficult.
- High national debt: The country’s debt is over $23 billion USD, limiting the government’s ability to borrow or fund new projects.
- Limited fiscal space: Despite a small budget surplus, the annual road budget is only about $150 million USD, far less than what is needed.
- Inflation pressure: Although controlled for now, inflation is expected to rise again, which erodes project budgets over time.
Currency and Economic Issues Affecting These Projects
- Currency instability – The ZiG currency experiences high parallel-market volatility and low public confidence, making long-term budgeting and cost forecasting very difficult.
- High national debt – Zimbabwe’s total debt exceeds US$23 billion, severely limiting government borrowing capacity and fiscal room for new or ongoing projects.
- Limited fiscal space – Despite a small budget surplus, the annual road budget is only about US$150 million, far below what is needed to complete all infrastructure.
- Inflation pressures – Although partly controlled, inflation is expected to rise again (IMF projects ~8% by end of 2026), which erodes project budgets and increases material and labour costs over time.
- Funding shortfalls and contractor payment delays – Many projects stall or slow down because the government cannot disburse funds consistently, leading to contractor pullouts or arbitration disputes.
- Rising project costs – Original budgets for dams, roads, and stadiums have often increased significantly due to inflation, currency depreciation, and material price hikes, requiring additional funding that is not always available.
