Position paper on the National Railways of Zimbabwe by MDC-T Khupe spokesperson, Linda Masarira

1. Unpacking B.E.S.T Manifesto
Restructuring and Rehabilitation of the NRZ (National Railways of
Zimbabwe)
Considering the current state of the National Railways of Zimbabwe , the frst
question that comes to a logical and progressive mind is, “does the NRZ
have a strategic rail master plan.”
The NRZ has been critical to the economic growth of Zimbabwe by
connecting all major economic centres domestically, regionally and
internationally. Since time immemorial it has been the prefered mode of
transport for bulk raw materials and passengers before standards
deteriorated.
In Zimbabwe, the railway network connects all major mines and heavy
industrial plants, as well as major collection points for farms. The system has
three well connected hubs Bulawayo, Gweru and Harare.
NRZ is also at the centre of shorter and cost-efective railroad links between
Malawi and South Africa through Bulawayo, Lusaka and Durban port through
Bulawayo and Beira port through Harare. In the past 20 years the capacity of
NRZ to provide services has been severely eroded due to the deterioration of
track infrastructure. Lack of regular repairs and maintenance resulting from
fnancial constraints due to corruption led to the current state of the NRZ.
The railway system has served as a primary conduit for agricultural and
other natural resources and this was largely attributed by high standards,
professionalism and routing that was adopted. Due to the economic
quagmire facing the nation, NRZ hasn't been spared and the dilapidated
condition of the railway infrastructure has contributed to the challenges
facing the railway sector in Zimbabwe. The NRZ has a route length of 2
759km comprising 1 881km of mainline and 878km of branch lines.
The MDC T will ensure beyond reasonable doubt institutional reform of the
NRZ to make the railway sector operate more efciently. NRZ urgently
requires recapitalization predominantly for the renewal/upgrading of plant,
equipment and infrastructure in order to increase its capacity and efciency.
Lack of funding has resulted in inadequate rolling stock and locomotive
power and an infrastructure incapable of sustaining the required business
levels.

2. Our government will ensure that it acquire state of the art, modern day
locomotives wagons and coaches. Unlike ZANU PF our government will not
waste taxpayer funds on life expired recycled and refurbished rolling stock
as we saw earlier this year on a transnet mega million dollar deal.
The NRZ needs approximately USD1.5 billion to adequately modernise the
railway system in Zimbabwe. The MDC-T plans to raise this money through
investors and Public Private Partnerships.Track rehabilitation and
maintenance of the rail network is one of the top priorities of our
government in waiting.
One of the biggest challenges facing the NRZ is the absence of a separate
regulator for the railway sector which resulted in customers being at the
receiving end of unfair trade practice or monopoly behavior by the
NRZ.Creation of a regulatory authority to provide a stable legal and
institutional framework and that will also foster competition and market
mechanisms.
Technical and fnancial restructuring is critically important to ensure that
NRZ's responsibility for servicing debt is maintained and that stricter
expenditure control is exercised to curb corruption.
Our government will establish a framework for track access charges that is
consistent with the longer term objectives for seamless operations in the
region, licensing of operators, safety and economic regulation.
As a labor backed party which abides to its founding principles and values we
shall ensure that labor rights and labor justice shall be promoted. We
promise to clear the outstanding salary arrears of more than USD70 million
owed to NRZ workers in our frst two years in government. The MDC T led by
the capable and able President Thokozani Khupe shall restore the pride of
NRZ workers and will ensure that we rehabilitate railway network to carry 8
million tonnes of trafc per annum as before to boost our economic growth.
If the NRZ was once the backbone of Zimbabwe's economy, surely we can
resuscitate it by encouraging equity participation in the wholly owned state
parastatal.
Linda Tsungirirai Masarira.
MDC-T Secretary for Information and Publicity
0719118783/0772118783

3. Info@mdc.org.zw