Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
RESIDENTS and public transport operators have welcomed the Government’s commencement of major road rehabilitation works across Harare to address long-standing infrastructure challenges.
The initiative saw Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, accompanied by engineers and officials, touring several sites yesterday to assess progress.
Work has begun on Solomon Mujuru Road in Dzivaresekwa, stretching from the N Richards Turn-Off to Sanganayi Inn Junction.
Minister Mhona said the drive to fix urban roads follows a direct instruction from President Mnangagwa to ensure all roads in and around the capital are made trafficable.
The minister also inspected roads in Tynwald, Glaudina, and Nehanda, where a new 6.1km link road from the Harare-Bulawayo Highway is planned.
Earlier in the week, the minister led a similar assessment of critical roads in suburbs including Braeside, Arcadia, Craneborne, Hatfield, Waterfalls, and Southerton. Following these evaluations, rehabilitation and reconstruction works have now started at identified sites.
Residents and operators expressed relief and optimism at the development.
“Some parts of this road were in a bad state, making it difficult to drive. It is my hope that the whole stretch will be attended to,” said Dzivarasekwa resident Fanuel Phiri.
Kombi driver Aaron Maposa thanked the Government, noting that poor road conditions had damaged vehicles and increased operating costs. “If all roads are rehabilitated, it will be cheaper to service our vehicles, especially the suspension,” he said.
Frederick Maguramhinga, president of the Zimbabwe United Deregulated Commuter Operators (ZUDCO), echoed the sentiment, stating that dilapidated roads had severely hampered their business. “If what has been done on our highways is coming to the city, this is a very welcome step,” he said.
The urban road repairs form part of the broader Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2, which targets rain-damaged infrastructure nationwide. The Government has positioned the program as central to building a modern transport network and establishing Zimbabwe as a regional logistics hub.
Sometimes it’s difficult to understand the human mind. Efforts are made to make life more comfortable for humans but people continue to destroy the same infrastructure meant for their comfort. Solomon Mujuru (Kirkman) road from Bishop Gaul all the way to Tynwald wasn’t such a bad road but was destroyed by Kombis and other impatient drivers that drive on the edges. Certain engineering decisions are also illogical. Why was a bus rank established right on the edge of the Trabablas interchange creating another congestion that the construction of the interchange was meant to solve? The interchange is part of the Beit Bridge – Masvingo Freeway and is meant to be free of any obstacles. We cannot have a disorderly market and bus rank right in the centre of a freeway. It makes no sense. The whole area up to the toll plaza should be free of anything.