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The Herald, September 6, 1980  

THE railway line to Maputo was expected to be back in operation next month and could alleviate some of the pressure on South Africa’s lines, which handle about 95 percent of Zimbabwe’s imports and exports, the general manager of NRZ, Mr Nigel Lea-Cox said yesterday.

The handing capacity of Maputo was about 15 million tonnes a year, although it would take some time for that figure to be realised.

Speaking to the infrastructure section of the conference, Mr Lea-Cox said the National Railways of Zimbabwe occupied a strategic position in Southern Africa, as it straddled the major export routes to the coast.

NRZ policy was to develop fully the existing rail connections with other countries rather than construct new links.

Plans for electrification of the railway system were well advanced and tenders for electric locomotives and other equipment had been issued.

The first section of line to be electrified would be Salisbury-Gwelo, which would be started once testing on the 32 km track near Que Que had been completed.

The Posts and Telecommunications Corporation would employ expatriates only as a last resort, the Postmaster-General, Mr GC Mills, told the conference yesterday.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Zimbabwe being a landlocked country, relies heavily on Mozambican and South African ports to access its imports. In Mozambique most of the imports come through Beira while others come through Maputo.

Due to this, it is critical that the country continues to have a direct link between the country and the ports whether by road or rail.

The rail link between Zimbabwe and the ports of Beira and Maputo are very key because they facilitate the transportation of bulk goods to and from the country.

Recently, Cabinet approved in principle the proposal for Balmoral Corporation investments to undertake the construction of a railway line and a port at Beira on a built, operate and transfer basis in order to facilitate the transportation of minerals.

The Maputo rail link will be vital since the Government has designated Rutenga as a dry port to decongest Beitbridge Border Post. Rutenga is at the centre of a road and rail network linking the country with South Africa and Mozambique on the north-south corridor.