The Zimbabwe Republic Police Mashonaland West provincial command has ordered heavy-duty trucks off a section of the Harare–Chirundu highway to ease traffic around ZANU PF's 23rd National People's Conference at Chinhoyi University of Technology.

What we know

The restrictions took effect on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, and apply to haulage trucks travelling between Chinhoyi and Harare in both directions.

Drivers are told to use the Chinhoyi–Chegutu road, then the Robert Mugabe Highway, which links to the Harare–Bulawayo road at Norton.

"The inconvenience has been necessitated to facilitate smooth flow of traffic during the ongoing Zanu PF conference at Chinhoyi University of Technology," police said. "We appeal to drivers to cooperate with the police and adhere to all road rules and regulations."

Police have not said when the restrictions will be lifted. The conference ends on Saturday, 17 October.

What we don't know yet

Whether the diversion will end when the conference closes, or earlier.

How much extra time and cost the longer route is adding for operators. Police have not published figures.

Sources: ZimLive, 13 Oct 2026: https://www.zimlive.com/police-restrict-haulage-trucks-on-major-highway-for-zanu-pf-conference/ · ZimEye, 14 Oct 2026: https://www.zimeye.net/2026/10/14/police-block-harare-chinhoyi-highway-for-zanu-pf-conference/