Harare West MP Joanah Mamombe (CCC) expressed concern about Zimbabwe Cricket’s plans to construct a 10,000-seater multi-purpose sports stadium in Victoria Falls for the 2027 International Cricket Council World Cup.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Mamombe highlighted that building a stadium in Victoria Falls could harm the city’s biodiversity and jeopardize its UNESCO World Heritage status.
She recommended that authorities consider alternative locations for the new stadium, preserving Victoria Falls’ natural state as a premier tourist destination.
Below is Mamombe’s presentation and the National Assembly Speaker, Jacob Mudenda’s response:
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HON. MAMOMBE: Thank you very much. Hon. Speaker Sir. Zimbabwe, in 2013, enacted a new Constitution which entrenched Environmental Rights in Section 73, ‘every person has the right to have the environment that is protected for the benefit of the present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution, promote conservation and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.
Now, Hon. Speaker Sir, on Tuesday, Cabinet approved a proposed plan to construct a multi-purpose stadium in Victoria Falls. Hon. Speaker, Victoria Falls is renowned for its natural environment and wildlife.
Our tourism industry is heavily reliant on nature-based attractions. Zimbabwe is the third largest country in terms of wildlife resources, that is, rhinos, elephants and so forth. Why do we recognise the importance of infrastructure development Hon. Speaker?
It has the potential to attract more tourists. We cannot achieve this without disrupting our biodiversity. Many other cities in Zimbabwe could host the stadium that has been proposed thereby distributing the economic benefits without sacrificing the environmental integrity.
If tourists Hon. Speaker, can travel from South Africa to come and visit Victoria Falls, I am sure they can do the same to travel from other cities to go and visit Victoria Falls.
UNESCO heritage status is also at risk as we note that Victoria Falls was previously facing serious risks of losing the UNESCO World Heritage due to the developments that threaten its natural state.
Hon. Speaker, instead, we should explore alternative locations that do not compromise our valuable natural resources and conservation efforts.
I, therefore, pray that the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality together with the Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture bring a Ministerial Statement to elaborate on this plan to this august House. Ngatisarasai chiri mumawoko nekuda kuwombera Hon. Speaker Sir. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Your concern Hon. Member, in terms of protection of the environment, is noted. However, there is a master plan that is going to take care of that eventuality and also, if you may recall, the Environmental Impact Assessment will be made before any such infrastructural development takes place.
I hope that the concern you are raising will indeed be given due respect. Do not forget that Victoria Falls, in terms of its master plan, has accommodated the flora and fauna of Hwange National Park which is adjacent to the boundary of the city.
So, I think your concerns will be taken care of and it may not be necessary to ask for a Ministerial Statement.
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MP Joanah Mamombe Pleads Against Stadium Construction In Victoria Falls

The construction of a multi-purpose sports stadium is set to commence soon in Victoria Falls and the facility is expected to be completed in August next year ahead of the 2027 International Cricket Council World Cup.
The tournament will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.
The stadium will also host some sports codes such as football, rugby, tennis, hockey and squash.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to lay the foundation stone to mark the commencement of construction of the stadium.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said the construction of the facility will create training and employment opportunities for the local communities. He said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/world-cup-stadium-for-zim/">The Herald</a>):
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Zimbabwe Cricket was allocated 10 hectares of land for the construction of an international cricket stadium and ancillary facilities in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone for Tourism in Victoria Falls.
The project will contribute towards the US$5 billion tourism and hospitality industry by 2025, as well as the development and expansion of sports infrastructure in the country.
Tourism is a key pillar of the Zimbabwean economy and ranks at number three after mining and agriculture, accounting for 12 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product during the period January to September 2023.
The construction of the cricket facilities and associated infrastructure will also create training and employment opportunities for communities in Victoria Falls.
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Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Babra Rwodzi said the stadium will be constructed by ZC (Zimbabwe Cricket) who will own the facility for the next 25 years. Said Rwodzi:
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The stadium will be completed next year, 2025, in August to allow the work on the grass, which has to be done a year before the World Cup, to take place.
The other sports disciplines that will be conducted in the same stadium will be rugby, tennis, hockey, and squash. They are still looking at other disciplines that can come on board.
There is another ground (B-Arena) to be constructed in the same place for the practice sessions of the teams that will be competing at the World Cup.
Zimbabwe Cricket is funding the construction. Zimbabwe Cricket is leasing the ground on a 25-year agreement with the Government and they will be constructing using their own money.
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ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani on Tuesday night told The Herald that the funding for the 10,000-seater stadium was in place.
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Zimbabwe Cricket To Construct 10 000 Seater Stadium In Victoria Falls

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) said the commencement of the 2023 season on 18 March will not be negatively affected by the unavailability of stadiums that are either condemned or under renovation.
The Colliery Stadium in Hwange, Ascot Stadium in Gweru, Simba Bhora’s Shamva home ground, Vengere Stadium in Rusape, Sakubva in Mutare, Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba, Green Fuel’s home ground in Chisumbanje have failed to meet requirements to host topflight matches.
This means that several teams will play their 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League opening games at alternative venues.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said that they hope to see stadiums that the stadiums will be ready when the season starts. He said:
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We will play our games as scheduled. Our hope is that those facilities that are going through work will be completed before the next round of stadium inspections.
Otherwise, we’re good to go and clubs are encouraged to make sure that they complete the registration of their players by Friday, March 17.
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In Harare, the National Sports Stadium is the only venue cleared for PSL games.
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