The Mbudzi Interchange project is running behind schedule as the contractor is still to access the area occupied by property owners who are awaiting compensation from the government.
This was said by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Amos Marawa, during a recent tour of the project by the media.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mbudzi-interchange-project-behind-schedule-property-owners-yet-to-move-from-site-government/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> quoted Marawa as saying the Government is yet to reach an agreement with only one property owner and this had slowed down progress. He said:
<blockquote>
We are behind schedule. The government is committed to paying property holders. 
Negotiations came too late and thus delayed the compensation to the property holders.
So far, agreements have been made with the affected people except for one that is still outstanding.
We have signed settlement agreements with 51 property holders except for one.
</blockquote>
Marawa said of the US$34 million needed to compensate the affected people, the government had paid US$12 million to 19 property holders.
Moreover, 95 other leaseholders within the project space will be relocated. The Government committed to service the land and build three-roomed chore houses for each. Said Marawa:
<blockquote>
Government will compensate affected property owners in the next two months. It will reconsider and reconstruct the programming consolidated dates after June.
So far, the government is happy with the quality of the work which is being undertaken by a private contractor (Fossils Mines) at a cost of US$88 million.
</blockquote>
The project started on 18 September 2022 and was scheduled to be completed by 17 March 2023.
Marawa said a new expected completion date will be set in June.
The project has 13 interchange bridges as well as 15km of interchange roads and service roads. Four bridges are above 90% complete.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Mbudzi Interchange Project Behind Schedule - Govt

ZANU PF space barons have reportedly taken over the open land close to the closed Mbudzi traffic interchange in Harare and are parcelling it out to vendors for US$50 per square metre.
The roundabout was closed recently to allow for major construction works and hawkers who were doing business on the island have been ordered to move.
ZANU PF space barons have taken advantage of the situation to extort the vendors and are now demanding US$5 a day from each vendor for a vending permit on the route diversions, and an initial US$50 per square metre per month from stall owners.
The land is adjacent to the traffic lights at Malvern Road and Chitungwiza Road in the Hopley area.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development closed off the four roads leading into the Mbudzi interchange on Sunday for a distance of 1.5km in each direction.
One of the affected vendors, who identified himself to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zesn-calls-for-peace-ahead-of-2023-elections/">ZimLive</a> as Elvis Musera, appealed to the government to intervene and stop the space barons. He said:
<blockquote>
This man told us to pay for a meter-and-a-half and we paid US$50 and today we are told the space is one meter for each. The government should step in and make sure things are not done haphazardly.
</blockquote>
Deputy transport minister Michael Madiro said they will work as fast as possible to ensure that motorists are not inconvenienced longer than is necessary. Madiro said:
<blockquote>
The government appreciates the inconvenience the temporary closure of the roundabout will cause but it is part of the small sacrifices which our people have to make.
It’s one of those instances where the result justifies the means to that end. We will work as fast as we technically can to ensure that we deliver world class infrastructure for the motoring public.
</blockquote>

ZANU PF Space Barons Parcel Out Land Near Mbudzi Roundabout

A police officer shot and killed a man who was trying to avoid a tollgate in Harare on Monday night.
The incident occurred at around 8 pm on Monday at the Skyline tollgate just after the Mbudzi roundabout on the Harare-Masvingo road.
A police officer who spoke to ZimLive said:
A truck driver was trying to avoid the tollgate by using a dirt road and he was intercepted by a police officer.
The officer demanded a $2 bribe, which is half the price of the tollgate, but a disagreement ensued. The police officer cocked his AK47 and shot the man at close range and in cold blood.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2019/03/05/truck-driver-shot-dead-by-police-while-avoiding-paying-4-tollgate-fee/">ZimLive</a></h4>

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