The assumption must be that the bridge’s rail line will somehow connect with Livingstone. The problem, repeatedly posed, is to know how it would link up with the South African rail network to Durban and/or Richard’s Bay, as has been regularly repeated? Checking the internet, I found that the President, in his State of the Nation address in 2009 had referred to the proposed ‘Mmamabula-Ellisras and Mosetse-Kazungula Rail Links’ and that Dr Gobotswang had urged him to be more transparent about them.
Nine years down the line and there is still no real information available although the head of BR was recently quoted in the press as saying that construction will be started within a year. But that was two months ago which means that only 10 months at maximum is now left. This is now more than ridiculous. The possible development of a rail link between Kazangula and Francistown and then on, somehow to Richard’s Bay is of enormous importance to this country. But no one has been willing to tell us exactly what work is soon to start, who will do the starting and what the starting will comprise? Then came last week’s report in the Guardian with President Mnangagwa’s late in the day attempt to reverse Mugabe’s earlier decision to pull out of the Kazungula bridge project.
