By Mvelo Mthiyane Zondo
GWANDA — Three local road authorities require an estimated US$19 million to rehabilitate 150.7 kilometres of road network in the district.
The figures were disclosed during a stakeholder meeting with Mandihongola Lithium Mine management, which was attended by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe. Minister Nguluvhe visited the Gwanda Lithium Mine to assess operations and evaluate the relationship between the investor and local residents.
The rapid expansion of mining activities at Mandihongola Lithium Mine and surrounding mineral corridors has led to more than 60 heavy-duty tipper trucks operating daily—a volume that severely exceeds the design capacity of local gravel and tarred roads.
Following an inter-stakeholder resolution on June 24, 2026, the three Gwanda road authorities—the Department of Roads, the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), and the Rural District Council (RDC)—integrated their separate requirements into a single, consolidated 150.7 km district request.
Presenting the consolidated report on behalf of the three road authorities, Provincial Roads Engineer Mangisi Nkomo highlighted the critical state of the infrastructure used by haulage trucks.
“As the Ministry of Transport, we are very concerned about the road network. We have a stretch of 150.7 km from here to Sandawana across the three road authorities,” Eng. Nkomo said. “We conducted a scope of this entire network, which requires various interventions ranging from standard construction and regravelling to resealing sections along the Beitbridge–Bulawayo road and the Gwanda–Guyu/Manama road.”
He added: “We have compiled a bill of quantities outlining what needs to be done on these roads at an estimated cost of US$19 million. These roads have already exceeded their design and service lives, leading to structural depressions and total deterioration.”
The Department of Roads requires $13 million to rehabilitate 42 kilometers of the Gwanda–Tuli road and 39.7 kilometers of the Beitbridge–Bulawayo road. The Gwanda Rural District Council (GRDC) needs $4.09 million for 35 kilometers along the Sandawana corridor and 12 kilometers along the Gandana–Mandihongola corridor. The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) requires $2.195 million for 16 kilometers along the Ntepe–Mbizo road and 6 kilometers along the Mawaza–Mandihongola road.
Eng. Nkomo said the urgent interventions are needed to address subgrade failures, severe corrugation, dust pollution, and bridge culvert deterioration. These issues currently threaten community mobility, industrial supply routes, and school access across Wards 11, 14, and surrounding areas.
