Zimbabwe’s Trabablas Interchange – A Complete Guide to the Nation’s Newest Infrastructure Icon
Overview
Opened on 30 May 2025 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Trabablas Interchange replaces the notoriously congested Mbudzi round‑about in southern Harare. At an estimated US $88 million, the multi‑level junction now separates local and long‑distance traffic on the Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge highway, dramatically cutting travel times on one of Southern Africa’s busiest trade corridors.
Quick Fact: The name “Trabablas” honours President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wartime nickname, bestowed during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and now immortalised in the country’s most advanced road interchange.
Why It Was Built
- Chronic queues at the old Mbudzi circle caused hour‑long delays.
- The junction links Mazorodze, High Glen and Chitungwiza Roads with the regional highway to Beitbridge and South Africa.
- Vision 2030 targets called for modern, safer infrastructure that boosts trade and reduces accidents.
Project Builder: The Trabablas Interchange was delivered by the Tefoma consortium—a partnership of Tensor Systems, Fossil Contracting, and Masimba Construction.
Key Design Features
| Element | Details | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Multi‑tier, free‑flow ramps | Eliminates weaving & stop‑and‑go traffic |
| Cost | US $88 m (US $65 m interchange; US $23 m detours, utilities & compensation) | Government/PPP financing |
| Capacity | >30 000 vehicles per day | Future‑proof for traffic growth |
| Connectivity | Direct links to R3 (Mazorodze), R25 (High Glen) & A4 (Beitbridge) | Faster freight & commuter trips |
| Lighting & CCTV | LED high‑mast lights, full‑time cameras | Night visibility & security |
| Pedestrian provision | Two footbridges planned (2025/26) | Safer community access |
Economic & Social Impact
- Reduced Congestion: Peak‑hour delays cut from 45 + minutes to <10 minutes.
- Freight Efficiency: Lower haulage costs for goods travelling to South Africa.
- Local Commerce: Easier customer access for nearby businesses at High Glen, Hopley and Waterfalls.
- Employment: >800 construction jobs plus long‑term maintenance roles.
Controversies & Criticism
- Project Cost: Critics compare the US$88 m price tag to South Africa’s Mount Edgecombe interchange (US $66 m), alleging over‑pricing.
- Community Access: Until footbridges are built, residents must walk long detours to cross safely.
- Name Change: “Trabablas” branding divides opinion; many still call it Mbudzi Interchange for cultural familiarity.
Government maintains that higher costs reflect additional detours, service‑relocations and land compensation, while committing to pedestrian upgrades in 2025/26.
Driving the Trabablas Interchange – Official Guide
Video credit – Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe
Quick‑Reference Lane Guide
| Origin → Destination | Lanes / Movements | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|
| City Centre → Chitungwiza (via Simon Mazorodze) | Keep to the far‑left lane and proceed straight to Chitungwiza Rd. | Do not change lanes after the first 500 m. |
| City Centre → Glen Norah | Take the second left turn, follow the curve, then keep right lane. | Watch for the single‑lane slip road. |
| Simon Mazorodze → Chitungwiza | Use the centre through‑lanes. | Stay in lane; no weaving. |
| All traffic → Industrial Area (west of interchange) | Enter the left service lane, pass under the bridge. | Industrial traffic only. |
| Masvingo inbound → City Centre | Use the inner (fast) lanes and go straight. | Keep to 80 km/h max. |
| Masvingo inbound → Glen Norah | Take the far‑left lane, continue to High Glen Rd. | Lane splits 300 m before exit. |
| Masvingo inbound → Chitungwiza | Take the second left lane, drive straight to Chitungwiza Rd. | Signposted “A24 South”. |
| City Centre → Fidelity / Ushewokunze | Stay in centre lanes, exit at Press Breeders turn‑off, then left. | Indicate early. |
| City Centre → Boka Complex | Keep left lane, turn left at Boka. | Delivery vehicles use same route. |
| Glen Norah → City Centre | Enter the left lane to merge onto Masvingo–Harare Hwy. | Observe merge speed of 60 km/h. |
Safety Essentials
- Plan before you drive. Review the map or the video to understand lane choices.
- No reversing on the interchange. If you miss an exit, continue to the next safe off‑ramp and turn back legally.
- Pedestrians & cyclists: Use the designated pathways outside the interchange – not the carriageway.
- Speed limits: Obey posted limits (60 km/h on ramps, 80 km/h on viaduct). Cameras are live.
- Stay alert at night. LED lighting is bright, but lane splits approach quickly.
By following the official Traffic Safety Council guidance and the table above, you will navigate Zimbabwe’s newest interchange smoothly and safely. Drive defensively, respect other road users, and enjoy the time you save on the old Mbudzi bottleneck!
Looking Forward
The interchange anchors a wider corridor upgrade that includes:
- A 15 MW solar‑powered lighting and toll plaza retrofit (2026)
- Bus termini and a logistics hub east of the junction (2027)
- A planned rail‑over‑road fly‑over to integrate with the Harare‑Maputo dry port strategy (2028)
Mr Zim’s Complete Tour of the Trabablas Interchange
Watch Mr Zim’s drone fly‑over for a 360‑degree look at every ramp, lane split, and engineering detail of Zimbabwe’s newest transport landmark.
Conclusion
The Trabablas Interchange stands as a bold statement of Zimbabwe’s determination to modernise its transport network under Vision 2030. While debates over cost and pedestrian access persist, early results show markedly smoother traffic flow and enhanced regional connectivity. Time will tell whether ongoing community upgrades and transparent cost reporting can turn this engineering feat into an unequivocal national success story.
Have you driven through the new interchange? Share your experience in the comments below!
