Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Sunday News Reporter
HEAVY rains that battered most parts of the country in recent days turned adversity into an opportunity for enterprising youths in Gwanda District, who stepped in to help stranded pedestrians cross the flooded Mtshabezi River at a small fee.
The Mtshabezi River Bridge, one of Gwanda town’s major entry points, became impassable for more than 24 hours just before Christmas Day after water levels rose sharply, leaving travellers and motorists stranded on either side.
As the waters gradually subsided, pedestrians began attempting to cross the bridge on foot, some weighed down by luggage and fear. That is when local youths stepped forward, offering to carry bags and escort people across the slippery, waterlogged crossing.
The youths charged US$1 for light luggage and US$2 for heavier loads — a service many grateful travellers said was worth every cent.
Ms Talent Sibanda, who was travelling to Bulawayo to join her family for Christmas, said she paid US$2 to have her suitcase ferried across the flooded bridge.
“With the water still overflowing, the driver was not sure it was safe to cross. We had to disembark and walk across the bridge. I was scared of being swept away, especially with my suitcase,” she said.
“A young man offered to help carry it across. His service came in handy because I wouldn’t have managed on my own.”
Ms Nozipho Ndlovu echoed the same sentiments, saying the strong current made crossing the bridge intimidating.
“I was afraid to cross with my luggage. The assistance from the youths really helped,” she said.
For some, the help came free of charge.
Mrs Samantha Khupe said she had no luggage but lacked the confidence to cross alone.
“A young man simply escorted me across without asking for anything,” she said.
One of the youths, Mr Tapiwa Shumba, said assisting people was driven more by empathy than profit.
“Yes, we charged a small fee to some people, but it was never about making money. Some were travelling as far as Harare to be with their families on Christmas Day and were stuck,” he said.
“The money was more like a token of appreciation. We also helped elderly people and women without luggage for free because many were terrified of being swept away by the water.”
The Mtshabezi Bridge, built in the 1980s, serves as a critical link between Gwanda town and surrounding rural
communities, Maphisa area and major mining operations such as Blanket Mine.
Originally designed for a much smaller population, the low-lying, narrow bridge has struggled to cope with increased traffic following the expansion of Gwanda town, the establishment of new settlements, business centres and mining activities.
Local communities have repeatedly called for the upgrading of the bridge, which was last flooded to similar levels in 2020 following heavy rains.
Dubbed a “death trap” by locals, the bridge has recorded several fatal accidents over the years after motorists failed to navigate the crossing safely. Some vehicles have also been swept away after drivers attempted to cross during flooding.
The bridge can barely accommodate one vehicle at a time, often causing confusion over right of way — a situation locals say compounds the danger.
As climate-induced heavy rains become more frequent, locals fear that without urgent upgrading, the Mtshabezi Bridge will continue to pose a serious risk — even as community spirit and youthful ingenuity step in to fill the gap.
@DubeMatutu
