Political Correspondent
HARARE – Presidential Spokesperson and Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba has robustly defended the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) following public criticism and online mockery of its trial run of the Rail Leisure train set to operate between Harare and Mutare.
The trial of the refurbished passenger train, which will run during the upcoming #Sanganai_Hlanganani_Kumbanayi Tourism Expo, drew mixed reactions on social media, with some questioning its relevance in today’s transport market. Charamba dismissed what he termed “amateurish commentary,” insisting that NRZ’s future hinges on delivering safety, reliability, and commuter convenience—not competing on price.
In a lengthy statement, Charamba outlined a strategic vision for the railway service, emphasizing:
“NRZ must ensure its fares recognise that the Mutare route is now highly intermodal: there is air, road and now rail. The primary consideration is always safety, followed by convenience and lastly, price. NRZ’s edge lies in offering overnight travel – allowing passengers to arrive in Harare or Mutare early enough to conduct their business and return in the evening.”
He argued that trains could effectively compete with road transport by focusing on scheduling, connectivity, and passenger comfort. “A daytime train and a nighttime train are two completely different products. If I was running NRZ, I would invest in discovering commuter needs which boil down to journey purpose and scheduling,” Charamba added.
Highlighting the potential to alleviate Harare’s chronic traffic congestion, he noted:
“Rail suffers no congestion as its way is dedicated. NRZ can really reap from the mounting traffic jams into Harare if it schedules its services and manages its ticketing well.”
The NRZ has long struggled with aging infrastructure and chronic underinvestment. Charamba’s comments signal a high-level push to reposition the railway operator, focusing on “convenience, scale and smart scheduling” rather than engaging in a price war with other transport modes.
Follow us on social media for more breaking news:
·X (Twitter): @ZimGbc ·Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
·TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01 ·Facebook: Zim GBC News
·YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
For in-depth coverage, visit our website: www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2025