Workmen put final touches to the new roundabout under construction to link New Parliament Building with Harare-Bindura Highway yesterday. — Picture: Innocent Makawa

Wallace Ruzvidzo, Herald Reporter

ALL systems are almost in place for the successful hosting of the SADC Summit in Harare next month, with final touches being carried out on various infrastructure that will be used during the gathering of regional leaders and their delegations. The Government has already taken over the sprucing up of Harare’s infrastructure, after assessments indicated that the city council would not be able to do the necessary works independently. Road works are in their home stretch, with some roads already opened to traffic. Hotels to be used by delegates have been spruced up while the 12 villas, which will house the Heads of State, are nearing completion. Material for the other six is scheduled to arrive in the country by Thursday. Buses to be used by delegates have all been branded. Speaking during an engagement with the media in Harare yesterday, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said the Government was working round the clock to ensure all works were completed timeously. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), she said, had also been tasked with ensuring that delegates had a memorable stay in Harare and that all their needs were met. “We told them (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority) last week that SADC leaders will be coming and asked for their work plans, in terms of preparations. “We are talking of where they are going to be eating, the entertainment they will see on offer and things like that because others will come and ask for Zimbabwean cuisine, while others might want Portuguese, Italian and other cuisines etc so all those things need to be arranged, even issues pertaining to night life. ReadMore