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Tawanda Mangoma at Sango Border Post
Government has started tarring the Rutenga-Sango Border Post link road, which will cost $30 million, to add impetus to trade between the country and Mozambique. The poor state of the Rutenga-Sango Border Post Road was cited as one of the biggest impediments to increased trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique through Sango Border Post in southern Chikombedzi.

It is envisaged that tarring of the link road will eventually attract more human and vehicular traffic, shedding off some pressure from Beitbridge Border Post, which is the country’s busiest port of entry.

Chiredzi South legislator Retired Brigadier-General Kalisto Gwanetsa welcomed the upgrading of the Rutenga-Sango Border Post Road. He said the development will boost tourism and trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, as more will turn to Maputo Port to move their goods into and outside the country.

“We are very much delighted that Government has prioritised the tarring of the Sango Border Post to Rutenga road,” said Rtd Brig-Gen Gwanetsa.

“This comes after our Mozambique counterparts had tarred the road from Maputo to their side of the border as a measure to boost the flow of tourists, goods and services.’’

Rtd Brig-Gen Gwanetsa said the tarring of the link road from Rutenga to Sango Border Post will also boost tourism in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP).

“Zimbabwe has been deriving very little benefits from the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park because of accessibility issues,” he said. “The development of the road (Rutenga-Sango) will boost growth of Chikombedzi Growth Point and Mhlanguleni Business Centre among other rural service centres in Chikombedzi.”

When The Herald toured Sango Border Post with a delegation from Chiredzi Rural District Council led by chief executive Dr Isaac Matsilele and Chiredzi district administrator Mr Lovemore Chisema recently, workmen from the Department of Roads were busy working on the first stretch of 20km that is being tarred. Dr Matsilele said the tarring of the road was important in the development matrix and expansion of Sango Border Town.

“The Rutenga-Sango Road will boast inflow of land cargo and tourists from Maputo, South Africa and Swaziland,” he said.
“This is an alternative route for haulage trucks coming from Durban.”

A fast expanding border town will be born at Sango, while adjacent growth point such as Chikombedzi will undergo phenomenal growth owing to enhanced business opportunities and business boom for our growth points such as Chikombedzi will be enhanced.

This road will also be central in the exportation of our sugar, chrome and other goods and services.