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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 46812, member: 636"] Zimbabwe built a new road interchange that costs 88 million dollars. President Emmerson Mnangagwa named the project after his war nickname Trabablas. Critics say the government wasted money and broke rules during construction. The project sits in Harare and connects major highways. Anti-corruption groups want officials to investigate the spending. The government gave the contract to Fossil company without public bidding. Fossil has ties to businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei who supports the president. Original plans showed the interchange would cost 65 million dollars. The final price jumped to 88 million dollars for unknown reasons. Opposition lawmakers say this violates national spending laws. Zimbabwe borrowed the full 88 million from Fossil itself. The loan charges more than 10 percent interest each year. Government officials will pay about 35 million dollars just for borrowing costs. Former finance minister Tendai Biti calls this arrangement illegal. Parliament never approved the loan agreement. Other African countries built similar road projects for much less money. Egypt built a major bridge for only 13 million dollars. South Africa constructed its largest interchange for 66 million dollars. The Zimbabwe project costs more than both examples. Development experts say corrupt officials often inflate infrastructure prices. Transport ministry workers faced arrest for stealing compensation money. The funds were meant for businesses that lost property during construction. Government ministers refuse to answer questions about the project. Public auditors still need to review all spending records. Citizens continue demanding answers about the expensive road project. [/QUOTE]

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