Bulawayo roads get makeover

Government has begun implementing Phase 2 of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2) in Bulawayo, with works already underway on Siyepambili Drive, a critical artery linking several western suburbs to the city centre, as authorities intensify efforts to restore urban road infrastructure.

The development follows President Mnangagwa’s extension of ERRP2 to December 31, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building a modern, efficient transport network that supports the country’s ambition of becoming a regional logistics hub.

Initially launched in March 2021 as a short-term intervention to address widespread road deterioration caused by years of underinvestment and extreme weather conditions, ERRP2 has since evolved into a long-term national infrastructure rehabilitation programme aligned with Vision 2030.

The extension is expected to fast-track the construction of new roads, rehabilitation of existing ones, and upgrading of drainage and road safety infrastructure, particularly along strategic economic corridors linking Zimbabwe to the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

In Bulawayo, pothole patching has been completed along sections of Siyepambili Drive, one of the city’s longest and busiest routes. Other major roads earmarked for rehabilitation under the programme include Matopos Road, Steelworks Road and Chinamano Road.

Bulawayo provincial roads engineer Tatenda Nyikayaramba said the extension of ERRP2 would provide much-needed relief to the city’s deteriorating road network.

“We are riding on the announcement by the President extending ERRP2. It gives us an opportunity to focus on critical roads that are in a bad state across the city, including Matopos Road, parts of the Bulawayo-Gwanda Highway and Chinamano Road, among others,” he said.

“Most roads across the city have been severely affected by the rains. We have already completed procurement processes and, once the rains subside, we will begin full-scale rehabilitation works.”

Motorists and commuter omnibus operators welcomed the intervention, saying persistent potholes had made driving increasingly difficult, particularly during the rainy season.

“Driving on Siyepambili was slowly becoming a nightmare as potholes continued to develop along the road. I operate a kombi on the Cowdray Park-Emganwini route and use a large stretch of Siyepambili daily. The road was deteriorating fast,” said Ambrose Sibindi, a commuter omnibus driver.

“The whole of last week, workers were patching potholes and the road is now in a much better state.”
Another motorist, Princess Moyo, said the road had become especially dangerous in wet conditions.

“Potholes are difficult to navigate when it’s raining because you can’t see how deep they are. I’m relieved that the potholes have now been patched and the road upgraded,” she said.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona said the expansion of ERRP2 reflects the Government’s determination to maintain momentum in infrastructure development.

He noted that the ministry has embarked on several high-impact projects aligned with the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and the forthcoming NDS2, both of which underpin Vision 2030’s goal of achieving an upper-middle-income economy.

“Road maintenance is not just an expense; it is an investment in safety, economic progress, and national development. A well-maintained road network supports trade, improves mobility, and enhances the overall quality of life for our citizens,” he said.

“That is why we must continue to strengthen our road maintenance units by equipping them with the resources, training, and technology they need to do their jobs effectively.”

Minister Mhona added that the Government will continue to support major national projects such as the Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway, which is set for completion this year, as well as ongoing upgrades to the Beitbridge–Bulawayo–Victoria Falls and Harare–Kanyemba roads.

The Beitbridge Maintenance Camp, developed under a public-private partnership between the Government and the Zimborders Consortium as part of the US$300 million Beitbridge Border Post Modernisation Project, will serve as a strategic base for maintaining critical road infrastructure in Matabeleland South.