The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has issued a clarification following a wave of public inquiries and online speculation regarding images of a security wall constructed across a railway line in Harare that recently went viral.
In response to growing public concern, the NRZ launched a fact-finding mission and confirmed that the wall in question was erected over a disused, privately-owned railway siding, not an operational rail line under the control of NRZ. The siding, which historically serviced a now-defunct factory, is located at 44 Tilbury Road in the Willowvale industrial area. The NRZ emphasized that these types of sidings are not part of the national railway infrastructure but are rather privately owned extensions designed to link specific companies directly to main NRZ rail yards for the purpose of cargo delivery.
The company that constructed the wall is a Chinese-owned enterprise that recently purchased the property, which is undergoing demolition as part of its redevelopment plans. According to Ms Li, a director of the firm, the decision to build the wall was made purely for security reasons, with the goal of preventing unauthorized access and theft during the refurbishment phase.
“The wall was built to secure the newly acquired property,” Ms Li explained, dismissing rumors that the construction interferes with active railway operations.
While the NRZ reiterated that it has no authority over the disused siding in question, it noted that it is aware of ongoing discussions involving the City of Harare, which is reportedly assessing the legal and urban planning implications of the wall’s location.
The development highlights the need for clearer public understanding around the ownership and responsibility of legacy railway infrastructure, particularly in industrial areas where redevelopment is becoming more common. As urban renewal projects gather pace, coordination between private developers, city councils, and infrastructure entities like NRZ remains critical to avoid misinformation and maintain orderly development.
