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“Initially we were not prepared to put a roundabout there since residents rejected the proposal during the 2012 budget consultations. Vakati wafa wafa ipapo (it does not matter if people die, we don’t care) but now people are still perishing every week.
The residents did not want it because they knew that the local authority was going to increase tariffs but now as a council we have no option, but to certainly mobilise funds for the project,” said Ald Chakabuda.
“We have reached a point of no return and definitely, in the 2013 budget, we are going to factor in the issue of a roundabout, which is estimated to cost $400 000.” Ald Chakabuda said the highway is a baby of the Government and any developments needed should be done by the responsible ministry. But, he said, Government had its own challenges hence the decision to chip in.
“The highway belongs to the Ministry of Transport and it is not us who are supposed to construct a roundabout at the junction. However, we appreciate that Government has financial challenges.
Besides, by its nature Government’s wheels are too slow. “After a series of meetings with Government officials over the issue failed to yield intended results we have resolved as Masvingo City Council to take it upon ourselves to do the project as a matter of urgency. I can assure you that come next year there will be an effective traffic regulation mechanism in place at the killer junction,” he said.
Residents who spoke to Chronicle yesterday called on the local authority to construct the roundabout to prevent further loss of lives.
Mr Prosper Dendere of Rujeko A said the council was taking long to regulate traffic at the junction.
“We are not happy at all at the slow pace taken by the council to come up with mechanisms to regulate traffic at the junction and accidents happen every week,” said Mr Dendere. Ms Mavis Manondo from Mucheke said it was Government’s duty to see that motorists’ lives were protected through putting traffic regulation mechanisms at dangerous spots.
Online Reporter