Zimbabwe Transport Ministry Faces Backlash Over Misleading Victoria Falls Road Announcement
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has issued a public apology following controversy over inaccurate claims regarding the Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation project. The retraction comes after widespread criticism from citizens and prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who alleged corruption in the bidding process.
Controversial Social Media Post Sparks Outrage
On April 29, 2025, the Ministry’s official Twitter account prematurely announced that “all eight contractors involved in the project are now on site.” This statement proved problematic as the tender process hadn’t concluded when the post was made.
Investigative reporter Hopewell Chin’ono quickly highlighted the discrepancy, noting the tender’s closing date coincided with the day of the Ministry’s announcement.
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“This reveals either shocking incompetence or blatant corruption,” Chin’ono stated on social media platform X.
Ministry Admits Procedural Failure
In a formal statement released later that day, Permanent Secretary Eng. P.J. Makumbe acknowledged the error: “The Ministry confirms no contractors are currently on site as the tender evaluation process remains ongoing.”
Officials attributed the misinformation to an internal communication breach, with an unnamed staff member failing to follow verification protocols before posting. The Ministry emphasized its commitment to transparent procurement processes despite the incident.
Corruption Allegations Surface
Chin’ono’s social media commentary suggested potential malfeasance in the tender process, implying preselection of contractors before official evaluation.
“This appears to be another example of cronyism in public procurement,” the journalist wrote, calling for greater accountability.
The Ministry’s retraction statement outlined next steps: “An evaluation committee will review bids before submission to the Special Procurement Oversight Committee for final approval.” The original tender was advertised on April 17 with a April 29 closing date.
Commitment to Transparency Promised
Concluding their apology, Ministry officials reaffirmed their dedication to accurate public communication: “We regret this error and remain committed to providing truthful updates about all infrastructure projects.”
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The incident has reignited debates about transparency in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development sector, with observers calling for stricter oversight of public communication channels.
