After numerous delays and budget overruns, Harare’s Mbudzi Interchange finally opens to traffic on May 30, 2025. The project, initially scheduled for completion in 2023, has faced intense scrutiny over its ballooning $88 million price tag and extended timeline.
The government later revised the completion estimate to 18 months, projecting an opening in March 2024. The finished interchange arrives more than a year past this adjusted deadline, leaving many questioning the project management.
ALSO READ: Nestlé Injects $7 Million Into Zimbabwe To Boost Cerevita Production
Mbudzi Interchange Finally Opens
The interchange’s final cost has become a hot topic in Zimbabwean political circles. Initial estimates from engineering firm DNMZ suggested $65 million would cover construction, but the final bill reached $88 million after additional expenses were included.
These extra costs covered:
- Detour road construction
- Property compensation
- Professional service fees
- Unspecified additional expenses
Regional Cost Comparisons Raise Questions
During recent Senate hearings, legislators highlighted stark price differences between Zimbabwe’s interchange and similar regional projects. Matabeleland North senator Sengezo Tshabangu noted that South Africa’s massive Mount Edgecomb interchange – the largest in the southern hemisphere – cost $11 million less than Mbudzi.
Transport Minister Felix Mhona attributed the higher costs to Zimbabwe’s “unique” economic situation, citing international sanctions and local price fluctuations for construction materials such as cement.
ALSO READ: Construction Mogul Takes Legal Action Over $450k Unpaid Development Fees
Additional Controversies Surrounding the Project
The interchange, officially named “Trabablas” after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s war name, has been marred by additional controversies:
- Non-competitive tender process for the construction consortium
- Recent arrests for fraudulent compensation claims
- Ongoing questions about financial accountability
As the interchange finally opens to relieve Harare’s notorious traffic congestion, many Zimbabweans continue to question whether the benefits justify the substantial time and financial investments.
