HARARE – The busy Mbudzi traffic interchange in Harare is set to be closed until 2024 to pave way for further construction work, the local government ministry announced Wednesday.
The development, delayed by six weeks, will see the displacement of vendors, small businesses operating around the roundabout and 135 property owners who are set to be compensated by the government.
Kudzanayi Chinyanga, the permanent secretary in the ministry of transport, made the announcement as construction companies TEFOMA, Tensor Construction, Fossil Contracting and Masimba Holding carry out major works which will regulate traffic towards Masvingo, Chitungwiza and central Harare.
“The reconstruction of the Mbudzi roundabout will conclude in one-and-a-half years and we hope by that time there will be significant progress,” Chinyanga said.
“The Mbudzi roundabout is not a designation for vendors, that’s why police always move them away because it’s not designed for vending. As for the 135 property owners, they have accepted our offers except for a few who accepted with conditions.”
Transport minister Felix Mhona, in a notice on Tuesday, said there will be closure of portions to Harare-Masvingo Road, Chitungwiza Road and High Glen Road at Mbudzi traffic circle with effect from September 18.
“The… motoring public shall be using diversion route – Malvern Road, Forbes Road, Hopley Road, and Stoneridge Road,” he said.
The roads will be shut per 1,5km in each of the four directions from the old roundabout.
