The Zimbabwean government may have spent up to US$10 million on Friday’s Independence Day celebrations, which were overshadowed by shoddy infrastructure and a rain-soaked venue that failed to withstand the weather.
Authorities had earlier announced extensive infrastructure upgrades at Mutora growth point, including improvements to the Nembudziya open grounds, in preparation for the national event.
Just before the celebrations, Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe declared that a state-of-the-art stadium had been constructed for the main ceremony. However, heavy rainfall revealed serious construction flaws, with the stadium’s drainage unable to cope, leaving the field waterlogged.
The newly installed bucket seats were reportedly ripped from their bases even before the event concluded, and military parades were hampered by the flooded pitch. Videos of the poor conditions quickly went viral online, sparking widespread criticism.
A much-anticipated football match between Simba Bhora and FC Platinum was abruptly stopped after just 15 minutes due to the unplayable pitch conditions, prompting concerns over how the substantial budget had been utilized.
Anger mounted as social media was flooded with images of the substandard facilities. Many Zimbabweans demanded accountability for the public funds allocated to the Independence Day projects.
The government had also pledged to rehabilitate major roads leading to Mutora, but those promises went largely unfulfilled. Observers noted that road repairs were hastily attempted at the last minute, and several Zanu PF officials were seen struggling with vehicles stuck in muddy conditions.
At Nyamuroro High School, which was meant to host a children’s party, the promised construction of two hostels and ablution blocks remained incomplete. Similarly, upgrades at Nembudziya Government High School—including classrooms and laboratories—were not finalized in time for the gala held there Friday night.
Despite weeks of planning and multiple inter-ministerial meetings in Gokwe, many of the pledged developments were either partially done or abandoned.
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube posted videos claiming that preparations were complete, but residents were left disillusioned. Villager Tatenda Mugari expressed mixed feelings, stating suspicions of misused funds, although acknowledging that some progress had been made in areas like borehole drilling.
Zanu PF Midlands chairman Edson Chihengere insisted that all projects had been successfully delivered, including new school blocks and solar-powered boreholes, contradicting local reports and visual evidence.
Information Minister Jenfan Muswere echoed these claims, stating that over 8,000 projects had been completed nationwide under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership, including developments in Gokwe.
Although the event was meant to host up to 60,000 attendees, fewer than 10% of that number showed up.
Attempts to reach Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga and Minister Garwe for comment on the exact expenditure were unsuccessful. In addition to government funding, Zanu PF officials in the Midlands reportedly collected donations from local businesses, claiming the funds would support the celebrations.
Mnangagwa’s administration has previously faced backlash over awarding overpriced contracts to politically connected individuals who fail to deliver despite receiving full payment. The companies involved in the Gokwe projects have not been publicly named.
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606.
