Motorists bemoan state of roads

Tawanda Mangoma in CHIREDZI
Motorists in Masvingo province have urged Government to apportion all responsibilities to repair the 4 000 kilometres road network to rural authorities as the District Development Fund struggles to maintain and rehabilitate the roads. The call came amid reports that the DDF has lost all its fleet and equipment and cannot render services especially road maintenance and repairs.

The stakeholders further expressed fear that public transport operators would continue pulling out of their areas due to the poor road network.

Some sections of the roads in Masvingo have gone for more than two decades without being attended to.

DDF provincial coordinator Mr Masara Gutukunhuwa conceded that the situation was not good as their sole grader developed a mechanical problem two months ago. He said they are now relying on hired graders which are operating in Chivi, Bikita and Gutu Districts.

“We are on the ground, but the major problem is our equipment mainly tractor-drawn graders are no longer compatible this period as the roads have dried excessively,” he said.

“We are waiting for a team from zinara to come and repair it so that we can continue rehabilitating our roads.”

In a survey, it was established that most DDF depots across the province have tractors and other equipment which is obsolete. Chiredzi Rural District Council chief executive Mr Isaac Matsilele said they had to bear the brunt with villagers, blaming council for the poor state of the roads.