By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO- Government ministers have apologized to Masvingo residents following months
of traffic congestion caused by delays in the completion of Mucheke Bridge, which was officially
opened on April 30, 2026.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of transport and infrastructural
development Felix Mhona acknowledged the inconvenience faced by motorists and residents,
admitting the prolonged works had disrupted commuting to work, school travel and also
transporting goods and business activities.
He said he personally experienced the heavy traffic while travelling to the event, highlighting
the extent of the congestion.
“I also experienced the traffic while coming to this event. We are sorry for the delays and the
inconvenience caused to the people of Masvingo. Today marks an important milestone,” he
added.
He said the opening of the bridge was expected to ease congestion, allowing smoother traffic
flow with no long queues or late arrivals to work and will support continued progress in the
area.
“The opening of the bridge will help decongest traffic, and people will no longer experience
long queues. We will also continue to support development and progress in the area,” said
Mhona.
Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa also
spoke on the pressure surrounding the project, saying he endured sleepless nights as residents
constantly demanded to know when the bridge would be completed.
“I spent sleepless nights over this bridge, especially knowing that during the festive season this
road becomes very busy with people travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe. I kept thinking
about when the bridge would completed,” said Pazvakavambwa.
He said he used to receive calls as late as midnight from frustrated members of the public
questioning what was delaying the completion of the bridge and would assure them that he
was working on resolving the matter.
He said the project attracted concern from different people speaking various languages all
seeking updates on the projects.
“I used to receive calls at midnight from frustrated members of the public asking what was
delaying the completion of the bridge. I would assure them that I was working on addressing
the matter and I also received calls from different people speaking various languages, all
seeking updates on the project,” said Pazvakavambwa.
He also said he was extremely happy following the completion of the Mucheke bridge while
expressing regret and apologizing to residents of Masvingo for the delays and inconvenience
they experienced.
“I am the happiest person ever that this bridge has been completed. I also wasn’t emphasize
my apology to the residents of Masvingo,” said Dr Pazvakavambwa.
