Infrastructure ready for SADC Summit despite scrutiny – Government
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s Government says it has completed extensive preparations for the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, scheduled to commence on 17 August.
This summit marks Zimbabwe’s assumption of the SADC chairmanship from Angola. The summit’s proceedings follow the arrival of the Executive SADC Secretary on 6 August and the commencement of Senior Officials Meetings on 8 August.
Addressing journalists during Tuesday’s post Cabinet briefing, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere outlined the extensive upgrades made to key infrastructure. “The three main access routes to the venue, the New Parliament Building—Harare-Chirundu, Harare-Kanyemba, and New Parliament Roads—are complete,” Muswere said.
“On the Harare-Kanyemba Road, the section between Harare Drive and Eskbank tollgate and Gwebi River Bridge was opened to traffic on 7 August. The Boulevard was officially opened by His Excellency the President on Friday, 9 August. The construction of the VVIP Lounge at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport was completed, and it has been installed with the requisite facilities.”
He added that “the VVIP Pavilion access road was also completed. Remarking of the Airport Road has been completed, while painting of barriers has also been completed, with damaged kerbstones being replaced and painted. The re-painting of the Air Zimbabwe hangar is complete.”
The City of Harare is also focused on enhancing traffic flow and safety. “The installation of traffic lights at intersections and street lighting of the major roads is underway. The local authority has been directed to speed up works,” Muswere said.
The minister highlighted additional preparations: “The hoisting of flags on light poles is complete, with most areas along Airport Road and Central Business District done. Flag hoisting was achieved on Nemakonde Way and Seke Road. Information and Publicity infrastructure has been finalized, including the Media Center.”
He also mentioned water and power upgrades: “The construction of the 2.8-megalitre water reservoir is now complete, and, together with the 14 boreholes drilled, will guarantee sufficient water supply. The New Parliament is assured of uninterrupted power following the construction of an 11kV Dedicated Feeder. A 4MVA, 33/11kV transformer was also installed and commissioned.”
“Stable and high-speed internet service is being provided by the three internet service providers at Parliament and all other official Summit-related venues, including the country’s international airports,” Muswere added.
Preparations for the 7th SADC Public Lecture at the University of Zimbabwe are also progressing well, with all four external panellists having confirmed their participation. “Exhibitors have set up their displays, and interpretation equipment has been put in place. The event will be live-streamed on national media and social media platforms,” Muswere said.
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe will unveil an exhibition titled “Innovate SADC: Transformation in Southern Africa through the Arts” on 15 August.
Amid these preparations, Zimbabwe’s human rights record has come under scrutiny. International organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticized the government’s crackdown on opposition figures, amid arrests. Opposition figure Jameson Timba and 77 other activists have been detained, while 44 members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union were arrested in June for “disorderly conduct.”
DA’s spokesperson on international relations, Emma Powell, has called for the summit’s venue to be moved. “Allowing the summit to proceed under the current circumstances will not only endorse Zanu-PF’s flagrant abuse of international law but further undermine the principles upon which SADC was established,” Powell said.
However, South Africa’s coalition govermen’t expressed support for Zimbabwe hosting the summit despite these concerns. Clayson Monyela, head of public diplomacy at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, stated, “Zimbabwe is the incoming chair of SADC. South Africa will have no authority to tell SADC that the summit can’t take place in Harare.”
