Construction of the new Dema Toll Plaza along the Chitungwiza-Hwedza highway, which will replace the existing Dema tollgate, has officially begun.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has issued a notice informing the public about the temporary road closure at the 60km peg, from Harare CBD, to allow for the construction of the new toll plaza.
According to the public notice, the closure will be in effect for approximately five months, from March 17, 2025, to August 31, 2025. It reads:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, through its Department of Roads, is currently undertaking the construction of the Dema Toll Plaza and associated infrastructure along the Chitungwiza-Hwedza Highway.
This project is being carried out in accordance with Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021 (Declaration of State of Disaster, Road Infrastructure Network), with CMED Contracting serving as the contractor.
To ensure the safety of all road users and facilitate the safe execution of construction works, the following section of the road will be temporarily closed: Chitungwiza-Hwedza Highway at the 60km peg from Harare CBD. Closure Period: 17th March 2025 to 31st August 2025.
During this period, all road users are advised to utilise the constructed detour as an alternative access point.
The Ministry sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s cooperation and understanding during this period.
</blockquote>
The relocation of tollgates will make travel easier for drivers. The Dema tollgate is now in the middle of residential areas because of the growth of new neighbourhoods over the years.
Having tollgates in peri-urban areas has caused financial losses for the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA), as many drivers are avoiding toll fees by using other routes.

Pindula News

Construction has started on the new Dema Toll Plaza which will replace the old tollgate. The road at the 60km peg on the Chitungwiza-Hwedza highway will be closed for five months from March to August. This closure is to allow for the construction of the new toll plaza. Drivers are advised to use a detour during this time. The new toll plaza will be built away from residential areas to make it easier for drivers. This change will help stop drivers from avoiding toll fees and will benefit the Zimbabwe National Road Administration.

Dema Toll Plaza Construction Starts, Part Of Chitungwiza-Hwedza Highway Closed

Members of Parliament will enjoy express lanes at selected tollgates as part of a pilot project for exempted government officials.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Mudenda announced that the pilot project will begin at Skyline, Dema, and Eskbank tollgates.
He explained that to use the express lane, vehicles must be equipped with an e-tag, which will be scanned by the system. Once detected, the boom barrier will automatically open. <a href="https://openparly.com/express-lanes-for-exempted-govt-officials-and-mps-at-tollgates/">Said Mudenda</a>:
<blockquote>
I wish to inform the House that ZINARA has introduced express lanes to Government exempted vehicles at selected tollgates; starting with a pilot programme at Skyline, Dema and Eskbank tollgates.
The infrastructure has been established featuring extra wide detour lanes designated as “Express Lanes”.
To use the express lane, vehicles must be equipped with an e-tag which will be scanned by the system. Once detected, the boom banner will automatically open.
Please note that express lanes will not have a cashier on duty. In line with this, the ZINARA team will visit the new Parliament Building on the 26th of February and 5th March 2025 from 0900 hours to 1600 hours for the installation of the e-tags.
All Members of Parliament are encouraged to bring their two exempted vehicles along with their registration books for this installation exercise.
Kindly note that failure to have electronic tags installed on exempt vehicles may cause significant inconvenience when passing through the tollgates.
</blockquote>

Government officials, including Members of Parliament, will have access to express lanes at certain tollgates. This means they can skip the line and go through faster. To use the express lane, their vehicles need a special device called an e-tag. This device will be scanned, and the barrier will open automatically. The pilot project will start at three tollgates. Government officials need to get the e-tags installed to avoid any inconvenience when passing through the tollgates.

Govt Officials And MPs To Use Faster Express Lanes At Tollgates

Police have confirmed the arrest of six suspects in connection with a robbery and a case of unlawful entry into premises and theft.
In a statement, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects were arrested after detectives from CID Homicide in Harare received a tip-off that one of the suspects had sustained a gunshot wound.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect had been shot by his accomplices during a robbery at a house near Dema Tollgate, Seke, Mashonaland East. Said Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Richmore Munhundiyani alias Dovi / Halala / Sebede (42), Ropafadzo Bhero alias Ropa (24) Maxwell Tinarwo (60), James Mucheri (43), Francis Alfandika alias Africans (46) and Fungai Sithole (42) alias Bhudha for a spate of robbery cases and a case of unlawful entry into premises and theft which occurred in and around Harare between 12th September 2024 and 05th February 2025.
The arrest of the suspects follows a crime tip received by detectives from CID Homicide, Harare that one of the suspects, Richmore Munhundiyani had a gunshot wound on the right leg.
The detectives acted on the information and arrested the suspect at Forward Shopping Centre, Chitungwiza, Harare.
Investigations by the Police established that the suspect was shot by his accomplices during a robbery incident at a house near Dema Tollgate, Seke.
The suspect implicated the other suspects leading to their arrest on 09th February 2025 and recovery of a 0.38 mm Smith and Wesson Revolver with a magazine of six live rounds, two plasma television sets, solar panels, gas stoves, a car battery and car radio, among other household goods.
The suspects are being linked to four cases of robbery and a case of unlawful entry into premises and theft, including a case of robbery which occurred on 12th January 2025 at a house at Mangwende Village, Seke where a king-size bed, solar panels, four cellphones, curtains and other household goods were stolen as well as another robbery incident which occurred on 21st January 2025 at a homestead at Chanakira Village, Seke where two cellphones and USD$2 030.00 cash were stolen.
The suspects are also clearing a case of unlawful entry into premises which occurred on 12th September 2024 at a house in Glenview 3, Harare where a 32-inch television set, blankets and other household goods were stolen.
</blockquote>
Commissioner Nyathi expressed gratitude to the public for providing valuable information that led to the arrest of the suspects.
He urged the public to continue reporting suspected criminal syndicates to the police using the following contact numbers: Harare Operations (0242) 748836 or 777651, Harare Central Police (0242) 777777, 777592/4/6/8, 777626, Bulawayo Toll-Free 112, 999, Bulawayo Operations (0292) 273547 or 883930, National Complaints Desk (0242) 703631, and Police General Headquarters WhatsApp 0712 800 197.

Six suspects were arrested for robbery and theft. They were caught after one of them got shot during a robbery. They were linked to several crimes including stealing TVs and cellphones. The police found a gun and stolen items. The public helped in catching them. The police want people to report any crimes they know about. You can call these numbers to help: Harare Operations (0242) 748836 or 777651, Bulawayo Toll-Free 112, Police General Headquarters WhatsApp 0712 800 197.

Gunshot Wound Leads To Arrest Of Armed Robbery Gang

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has identified the new site for the Dema tollgate in Seke which is currently situated in a peri-urban area between Chitungwiza and Dema Business Centre.
The tollgate will be relocated near the 59km peg along the Harare-Hwedza Road.
The relocation of the Dema tollgate follows complaints by motorists living in peri-urban Dema, but working in Harare who are being forced to pay toll fees every day.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/dema-tollgate-relocation-underway/">The Herald</a> on Thursday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the process of relocating the tollgate and constructing the state-of-the-art toll plaza has started. Said Mhona:
<blockquote>
I am delighted to be standing before you this afternoon to demonstrate that we have got a listening President and you have heard from the community that this was now a problematic tollgate within the community and it was no longer serving its purpose.
Once again because of the listening President Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, he then assigned me to come and hear the concerns of the citizenry.
And I am happy that as we speak we have started the process of relocating the tollgate and we are standing here at the place where we are going to construct the state-of-the-art toll plaza and we are doing this using our resources.
I must commend the Second Republic where we are not just talking, but we are talking and implementing what we are talking about.
</blockquote>
Mhona said his visit to Seke has nothing to do with the by-election set for 03 February. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes, there is a by-election just in a few days to come, but this is not the idea behind of our coming.
We are here because His Excellency is saying there is no place and no one who is going to be left behind and you have seen that we are moving across the country as the Ministry of Transport…
We want to assure the people of Zimbabwe that we are not only going to look at the tollgate, but we are also going to rehabilitate Seke Road which passes through Hatfield.
We are also going to be rehabilitating the Chitungwiza Road which comes from Mbudzi Interchange.
</blockquote>
Besides Dema, Skyline, Lion’s Den, Umguza and Shamva tollgates are also set to be relocated while there are also plans to rehabilitate those near Norton, Esigodini, Mushagashi, Mupfurudzi and Colleen Bawn.
The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) will fund the reconstruction, rehabilitation and relocation of the tollgates.
The Government recently relocated the tollgate along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road north, from between 19.5km and 20.5km from Harare city centre to between the 40km and 41km pegs on the highway.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Dema tollgate Latest News

Latest Jobs