Posted on 13 August 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
“There was always drama at the main railway station in Harare barely a year ago as commuters jostled to take a ride in the cheap commuter trains — the Freedom Train,” writes Fortious Nhambura in the state-owned Herald. “So popular were the trains that some people chose to take a ride from town to Cold [...] [...more]
Posted on 10 August 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
According to the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers’ union, wage payments are invariably three weeks behind schedule. It is alleged that many wages are “two thirds less than the prevailing poverty datum line”. The lowest paid employee at NRZ is said to earn $US125 per month. General secretary of the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Railways Workers [...] [...more]
Posted on 25 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Staff of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), whose wage payments are in arrears due to “financial constraints”, are outraged at the purchase of six “top-of-the- range” luxury cars by the directors. “The luxurious Prados,” says the Zimbabwe Financial Gazette, “cost at least $US40,000 each, bringing the total bill expended on the vehicles to $US240,000. [...] [...more]
Posted on 19 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Speaking on 7 July, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), general manager Mike Karakadzai said the entire rail network “is fast deteriorating and on the verge of collapse due to lack of periodic maintenance”. He said the government should speed up the opening of the country’s rail sector to private players. “NRZ has limited resources to [...] [...more]
Posted on 12 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
According to the Zimbabwe Independent, an audit team descended on the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) during June and has been “combing the company’s books following reports of massive plunder.” As a result, “Bulawayo police are investigating a £10 million fraud case involving some of the rail firm’s senior executives. “Gibson Boston Siziba, a senior [...] [...more]
Posted on 18 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
According to the Zimbabwe Independent, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is in the process of procuring 29 “state-of-the-art” passenger coaches from CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Company Ltd, a subsidiary of China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corporation (CSR). NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati confirmed the purchase, but declined to give details saying it could [...] [...more]
Posted on 07 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has signed a deal with the China North concern for the supply of 14 diesel-electric locomotives. “We are still to finalise payment modalities for the company to start manufacturing,” NRZ public relations manager Fanuel Masikati told the Xinhua news agency at the end of May. There are also “long-term [...] [...more]
Posted on 01 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
According to the Bulawayo Chronicle quoting minister of state in the prime minister’s office Gorden Moyo, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has asked the government for assistance in finding a strategic partner and securing lines of credit. Speaking to journalists after touring the NRZ headquarters and workshops in Bulawayo, Moyo said the government had [...] [...more]
Posted on 24 May 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
At a mid-May briefing for a government delegation led by minister of state in the prime minister’s office Gordon Moyo, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) management explained that almost the entire infrastructure is obsolete, with “99% of the railway’s equipment having outlived its lifespan and the track in need of urgent overhaul.” Though the meeting [...] [...more]
Posted on 18 May 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
On 9 May, according to the Chronicle (published in Bulawayo), more than 300 people, about 250 of them local tourists, boarded a special steam safari train on a trial run from Bulawayo to Plumtree. “The train departed from Bulawayo main railway station at 10:00 amid pomp and fanfare,” the paper reported. “The tourists were offered [...] [...more]
Posted on 07 May 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
On 9 May, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is to start running steam-hauled passenger trains between Bulawayo and Plumtree, a move intended to attract tourists and steam enthusiasts. Public relations manager Fanuel Masikati told The Chronicle that this is in preparation for a bid to offer the service during the forthcoming Fifa Soccer World [...] [...more]
Posted on 25 April 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has started installing a satellite communication system along theHarare-Bulawayo railway. Technical services director Lewis Mukwada is quoted saying that $US300,000 has been allocated to replacement of the existing microwave system, which has become obsolete. After completion of this section by the end of 2010, attention will move to other [...] [...more]
