By Nigel Pfunde
NORTON – Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona on Thursday officially commissioned the expanded Norton Toll Plaza, a development expected to ease congestion, improve revenue collection and stimulate economic activity along the Harare–Bulawayo Highway.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister Mhona said tolling infrastructure plays a critical role in sustaining Zimbabwe’s road network through revenue generation for maintenance and upgrades, while also facilitating efficient transit.
He said Government will move towards the introduction of all-electronic tolling systems to enable cashless transactions and further reduce congestion at tolling points.
“This expanded toll plaza will reduce travel time, enhance user experience and minimise disruptions to traffic flow. The installation of modern payment systems and electronic tolling will not only reduce waiting times but also promote the use of cashless transactions, providing added convenience, transparency and security for all road users,” said Minister Mhona.
He added that the Ministry remains committed to accountability and modern revenue collection systems.
“We reaffirm the Ministry’s support and guarantee transparency and our commitment to modern, electronic revenue collection systems to minimise human intervention and cash handling, thereby reducing revenue leakages. Through regular audits, parliamentary oversight and the requirement for ZINARA to present its budgets and reports for legislative oversight, the Ministry has instituted a culture of scrutiny to rebuild public trust in the road administration sector,” he said.
The project is part of Government’s infrastructure development programme under the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030. Minister Mhona commended the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) board and management for delivering the facility and urged continued collaboration among stakeholders to improve the national road network.
The expanded toll plaza is also expected to boost the local economy through increased business activity and job creation. Minister Mhona further urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads, particularly during the festive season.
He said the commissioning of the facility sets a positive outlook for 2026, signalling Government’s commitment to expanding and rehabilitating toll plazas to meet the needs of a growing economy and population.
Meanwhile, InstaToll Zimbabwe operations manager George Mufuka said the operator remains committed to ensuring the road network supports ease of doing business for motorists and travellers.
“So as InstaToll, we make sure that the infrastructure established commensurate with the expected economic prospects of everyone. We complement this using modern technologies .”
