Musavezi Bridge reopens

Midlands Correspondent
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Cde Michael Madanha last week officially opened Musavezi Bridge in Shurugwi following the completion of the rehabilitation of the two approaches that were washed away by flash floods in February last year. The washed away approaches blocked traffic from Shurugwi and Mhandamabwe, resulting in some motorists using the one way causeway bridge.

The rehabilitation of the bridge gobbled nearly $947 000.

The Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe route is one of the strategic highways for cross-border trucks and is of great economic value to the country.

Addressing motorists and villagers in Shurugwi, Cde Madanha said the two approaches of the bridge collapsed due to the overflow of water on the bridge caused by river bed siltation from sand mining along the river bank.

“The repair of the Musavezi bridge approaches is a relief to the motoring public using this road,” he said. We also know that this is a very important road that serves the mining ventures in and around Shurugwi.”

Midlands provincial road engineer Engineer Stephen Kamutema said the bridge was reconstructed with funds sourced from Treasury.

The positive development brings to an end fears that the repairs were going to take a long time to be completed.

“Musavezi River Bridge along the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe highway has been reconstructed by the Government and is now in use,” said Eng Kamutema.

“It took the contractors three months to work on the reconstruction process, from August to October this year.”

Mr Kamutema said the collapse of the major bridge cut off the road linking traffic from the north and Beitbridge.

“The bridge is a welcome relief for travellers and businesses as it has resulted in reduced travel time for north-bound traffic from Beitbridge Border Post and Masvingo province,” he said.

“The new bridge will also enhance traffic safety.”

The bridge, only completed around 1993, got washed away on February 6 last year causing a fatal accident which claimed the lives of four crossborder traders.

A Zupco bus, the victims were travelling in, was swept away while trying to cross the river in the early hours of the morning.