Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has resumed work on the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road on a stretch along the Mazunga area, as part of the Second Republic’s efforts to improve transport and logistics infrastructure in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) commitment.
Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road is among the major highways being targeted for upgrading to enhance trade.
The road links South Africa to Zimbabwe and other regional partners to the north.
The Government has adopted a phased approach to rehabilitate the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Highway and the Mazunga stretch has become impassable.
A cross-border transporter, Mr Brian Moyo, said the commencement of the rehabilitation works has brought relief to motorists.
“We are so happy to see the road now being attended to. We saw works to rehabilitate the road start last year, but we were concerned as they had stopped and there was no development taking place,” he said.
“Using the detour was a strain as it caused severe damage to my vehicle, considering that I use this road frequently.
“The Mazunga stretch in particular had become really bad. Using the detour had also become a huge risk, especially at night, as robbers were now targeting vehicles as they were passing through the detour. We hope that this road will be rehabilitated timeously.”
Another motorist, Mr Simba Mpofu, urged the Government to rehabilitate the entire road to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
The Mazunga stretch is being rehabilitated by a local contractor, Steps and Paths Company.
The company’s foreman, Mr Charles Mudzuri, said they expected to finish work on the stretch and open it to traffic next month.
“We have already ripped and put some spot dumps, compacted, and now we are just finalising. We will be priming in seven days, and we will need 14 days to surface,” he said.
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We have adequate manpower to help us meet the deadline, as we have 28 workers on site. We will work timeously so that we can meet our deadline.”
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, said the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road is part of many infrastructural development programmes that have been rolled out by the Government.
He said the road project comes at a crucial time when the Government is set to host the 2026 national Independence Celebrations.
Cde Nguluvhe said the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road is a crucial link between Zimbabwe and its major trading partner, South Africa, hence very critical to economic development.
“This road is very critical to us as Matabeleland South, and more so now that we are going to be hosting the independence celebrations. We need all our roads to be in good shape,” he said.
“This is the road that links to all businesses in South Africa, tourists going to Victoria Falls, businesses that use this road going to Livingstone, so we are quite happy.”
The Mazunga stretch joins a long list of roads being attended to in Matabeleland South province, like the Gwanda-Maphisa, Plumtree-Maitengwe and Bulawayo-Kezi roads.
Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the Second Republic has made significant strides in infrastructure development, particularly improving the road network. The Beitbridge-Masvingo-Harare-Chirundu Highway stands as a testament to this progress.
Several other road projects are underway nationwide, spearheaded by local authorities, Zinara and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
President Mnangagwa declared the state of road infrastructure in Zimbabwe a national emergency following two years of heavy and destructive rains.
Through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, the Government has been rehabilitating the country’s road network in line with Vision 2030.
The Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is a critical trade route on the regional north-to-south corridor, connecting Zimbabwe with South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A significant portion of the highway has deteriorated to dangerous levels over the years, resulting in numerous fatal accidents. Endless potholes have turned driving along the route into a challenging and hazardous experience. — @DubeMatutu.
