Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MANICALAND’S rural councils have launched an emergency multi million dollar blitz to repair roads rendered impassable by months of relentless rains.
The downpours left a trail of destruction across the province, causing potholes, erosion, waterlogging, and the collapse of bridges, severely restricting access to vital services in all seven districts.
The damaged road network has crippled businesses through delayed deliveries and rising operating costs, while motorists face frequent breakdowns, costly repairs, and accelerated vehicle wear.
Transport fares have surged as operators pass on expenses to commuters, further burdening the public.
In some remote parts of Buhera, Makoni, Mutasa, Chipinge, Chimanimani, and Mutare—the worst affected districts—communities have been virtually cut off from markets, clinics, and schools, stifling economic activity.
Makoni Rural District Council chief executive officer, Engineer Edmore Chidembo, said his authority, which oversees the province’s largest road network, has already begun rehabilitation works on selected routes.
He warned, however, that at least US$5 million is required to repair the entire system battered during the 2025/2026 rainy season.
“Our road network was badly hit by the recent heavy downpours, and virtually all our roads are in disrepair. The majority of the roads, including those in townships, are riddled with potholes and extremely difficult to navigate. Public transporters withdrew vehicles due to constant damages, and those still plying the routes are charging exorbitant fares. Door-to-door delivery services from bakeries, soft drinks and alcoholic suppliers were stopped in areas like Sharara and Bingaguru. Ambulances cannot drive at emergency speeds to Rusape General Hospital. The damages due to the rains have created a mobility crisis as the roads are the lifeline connecting farmers to markets, children to schools and the sick to the hospital. “We require US$2,4 million to attend to the roads and US$2,6 million to road structures. Currently, we are attending to the Wensleydale-Mufusire Road (26km) in partnership with the community and schools. Nyazura, Headlands and Chiendambuya townships’ roads are also being attended. We are also carrying out several rehabilitation works on a number of roads, where we are grading, and gravelling and opening drainage systems.
“In Makoni North, the Member of Parliament, is carrying out rehabilitation of 45km. The funds are not enough, especially as the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA) grant has been trimmed by 50 percent,” said Engineer Chidembo.
Buhera Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Ishmael Jachi, said they require around US$350 000 for routine maintenance, which is being hampered by lack of funding, ageing equipment and lack of machinery to carry out the works.
“Most of our roads were heavily affected by the heavy downpours which we received this year and most of our soils are sandy. These roads require grading and opening of silted drains. Estimated cost is approximately US$348 832 for routine maintenance of our roads. If funding was to be available some of these roads need re-gravelling. Currently, due to what was budgeted for this year, we intend to cover 272,5km. Funding remains our major challenge; more than 80 percent of our network has no funding for periodic and routine maintenance. Besides funding constraints, we are also facing challenges of inadequate and ageing equipment and shortage of ZiG fuel on the market. These challenges are affecting road maintenance on our network,” said Mr Jachi.
Mutasa Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr George Bandure, revealed that 70 percent of the district’s road network is in a bad state, and requires emergency repairs to improve trafficability.
In addition to funds from ZINARA, the council is using its internal resources and also mobilising stakeholders such as miners to help rehabilitate the roads.
“The district’s road network which spans approximately 1 562,2km and is managed by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) and Mutasa Rural District Council. About 70 percent of the network (1 093,5km) was damaged, with some roads becoming completely impassable.
“This led to the disruption of transport services, with some operators suspending operations due to unsafe conditions. The estimated cost of rehabilitation is US$1 980 per kilometre, translating to a total requirement of approximately US$2 066 790 to fully restore the affected road network. Currently, the three road authorities are focusing on approximately 382km of priority road sections for immediate rehabilitation. Funding is being primarily sourced from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, as well as the council’s own budget. Additional support is being received from private stakeholders, including local miners and Members of Parliament, mainly in the form of fuel and equipment. However, the available funding is not sufficient to cover all the affected areas, given the scale of damage and existing resource constraints,” said Mr Bandure.
