Online Reporter
Christopher Nyika
MOTORISTS and kombi crews in Bulawayo’s western suburbs are breathing easier as council crews move to tame a pothole nightmare that had turned Old Khami Road into a danger zone.
Most motorists had stopped using the road after dubbing it the most untrafficable in the city.
The busy link between the city centre and Nkulumane, Magwegwe and Pumula was badly battered by the rains, forcing drivers to swerve into oncoming lanes, especially near the West Commonage robots.
Now the Bulawayo City Council has rolled out a patching blitz on key routes inside and outside the city centre, bringing welcome relief to commuters and operators.
“We want to thank the city council for responding to our cries,” said a kombi driver on the Old Khami Road route. “The potholes were unbearable. We race against time every day and the bad road was damaging our vehicles. Old Khami Road had become the worst road in Bulawayo,” said the driver who declined to be named.
Another driver, who only identified himself as Skhokho, agreed. “Okhuhle, kuyabongwa mdala. This stretch was the worst. It’s not perfect yet but it’s much better and we can work properly,” he said.
Conductors were equally relieved. “Itarget besingasalibambi khiwa,” said Bongani Ndlovu. “We were losing time and money. This road was a serious roadblock.”
Before the repairs, motorists complained of traffic jams, breakdowns and costly repairs caused by deep craters.
The patching drive comes as city leadership admits the road crisis runs deep. Mayor David Coltart recently revealed that Bulawayo needs at least US$15 million every year just to maintain existing roads, a figure he described as conservative because many roads now need full reconstruction.
Council has since channelled part of its 2025 road funds to buy heavy equipment worth over US$1 million, including graders and rollers, to boost its own roadworks capacity instead of relying on contractors.
Residents and transport operators have urged council to keep the momentum going and fix remaining damaged sections before the next rains strike.
For now, many say the Old Khami Road repairs are a small but important step toward restoring Bulawayo’s battered road network.
