Ministry Of Transport Warns Of FULL Closure Of Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road, Says Anticipate Significant Delays

Zimbabwe Transport Ministry Issues Urgent Travel Advisory For Harare-Beitbridge Road

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has issued a stark warning to motorists, announcing a full closure of a vital bridge on the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road. The closure is for critical maintenance work and is expected to cause major travel disruptions this weekend. Officials are urging drivers to plan for significant delays or seek alternative routes entirely.

An 80-Minute Closure For Essential Works

The focus of the work is the Runde Bridge, located 105 kilometres from Masvingo on the road towards Beitbridge. According to the official public notice, the bridge will be completely shut to all traffic for 80 minutes. This closure is necessary to perform what the ministry describes as a “critical asphalt overlay,” a process vital for the structure’s long-term safety.

The Ministry stated:

“The 80-minute closure is necessary to perform a critical asphalt overlay, ensuring the long-term safety and integrity of the structure.”

The work is scheduled for the weekend, but in a move that has caused some confusion, the ministry specified it will happen on either Saturday, 22 November 2025, or Sunday, 23 November 2025. The timing window is between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, with the final date and precise start time dependent on weather conditions.

Motorists React With Frustration And Confusion

The announcement, shared on the social media platform X, was met with immediate and critical reactions from the public. Many users expressed frustration over the lack of a fixed date for the closure.

One user, Bingo, questioned the planning, writing:

“Guys you can’t have such communication. Decide on a firm date and time. Don’t come with 22 or 23 November , this is feja feja construction (shoddy construction).”

Another user, Henry Makumbe, pointed out a seeming contradiction in the notice, asking:

“80 minutes ndiko kubva 10:00hrs to 15hrs here (Is 80 minutes from 10:00hrs to 15:00hrs?)”

This reflects a common concern that the 80-minute full closure might lead to much longer overall delays, a point echoed by user Nguvayakwana, who warned:

“5 hour closure will create a queue blocking the whole road.”

Official Advice For Travellers

Facing the prospect of major traffic jams, the Ministry of Transport is strongly advising motorists to adjust their travel plans. The core message is for people to plan their journeys well in advance.

The ministry’s notice explicitly advises:

“Motorists should anticipate significant delays. To minimise disruption, the public is strongly advised to plan journeys in advance, seek alternative routes, and allow for considerable extra travel time.”

The ministry has also apologised for the inconvenience, framing the work as an essential part of its broader infrastructure improvement programme.