Key Points
-
Misheck Sibanda takes over as NRZ board chairman.
-
He vows unity to revive the troubled railways.
-
Government eyes $600 million deal for modernization.
Former chief secretary to the president and cabinet Misheck Sibanda has been appointed chairman of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), marking his return to public service.
He replaces Mike Madiro, who served as board chair for two years after his appointment in 2023.
Sibanda was unveiled at NRZ’s Bulawayo headquarters on Thursday before holding a private meeting with management.
The veteran administrator revealed he had been working on his memoirs when President Emmerson Mnangagwa asked him to step in.
“I thought I had left government after many years. I was writing my books, but I was told, ‘you can write later, go and help,’” Sibanda said.
New NRZ chairman pledges unity to revive railways
Sibanda urged NRZ workers to embrace teamwork, saying the institution’s deep expertise could be unlocked with collective effort.
“Let’s work in unity as a team to bring NRZ back to where it should be,” he said.
He acknowledged the backing of the Mutapa Investment Fund, which oversees NRZ, and its head John Mangudya.
He also appealed to the media to continue spotlighting both challenges and progress at the parastatal, stressing that public scrutiny was crucial for success.
Government eyes $600 million rail modernization deal
NRZ, once a backbone of Zimbabwe’s transport network, has struggled with ageing infrastructure, a depleted fleet, and heavy debts.
Past recapitalization efforts have stalled, but the government hopes fresh oversight under the Mutapa Investment Fund will attract investors.
Talks are ongoing with China Railway Group for a proposed $600 million modernization package, which would provide new locomotives and wagons while upgrading infrastructure. If concluded, it would be one of the largest investments in NRZ in decades.
Sibanda’s appointment, backed by his decades of administrative experience, comes as the parastatal seeks to reposition itself as a key player in regional rail transport.
His leadership is expected to be central to Zimbabwe’s strategy to restore NRZ’s role in driving economic growth.
