Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Zimpapers Senior Writer
RESIDENTS of Bulawayo’s Ward 5 have petitioned the local authority over a surge in road traffic accidents, some of them fatal, along the Bulawayo-Matopos Road, demanding the urgent installation of speed humps to curb reckless driving.
The affected stretch passes through Four Winds, Eloena and parts of Hillside suburbs, where residents say speeding motorists have turned the busy arterial road into a danger zone for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
In a petition addressed to the Bulawayo town clerk and copied to the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, residents said four fatal accidents had occurred along the road in the past four months.
“We, the undersigned residents of Four Winds, Eloena and part of Hillside, Bulawayo, hereby submit this petition out of deep concern for the increasing number of accidents and fatalities occurring along the Bulawayo-Matopos Road, particularly the stretch passing through our residential areas,” reads the petition.
Residents attributed the spate of accidents largely to excessive speeding, saying the recent deaths had traumatised the community.
“These incidents have left our community in fear and mourning. The road has effectively become a death trap for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike,” the petition states.
They called on authorities to take immediate corrective action, including the installation of speed humps or rumble strips, erection of clear signage indicating reduced speed limits in residential zones, enhanced traffic enforcement by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and other road safety agencies, as well as improved street lighting to enhance pedestrian visibility.
The residents cited successful interventions elsewhere as justification for their demands.
“We draw attention to successful precedents where similar measures were implemented, notably along the Bulawayo-Gweru Highway near Lookout Masuku Barracks and between Gweru and Kwekwe, where the introduction of speed humps significantly reduced accidents and saved lives,” reads the petition.
“We therefore petition your offices to act with urgency in implementing safety measures on this road to prevent further unnecessary loss of life. The community stands ready to engage constructively with all authorities to find lasting solutions.”
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu confirmed receipt of the petition, saying the local authority was considering the residents’ concerns in line with council procedures.
“Council acknowledges receipt of the petition requesting the installation of speed humps along Matopos Road. We appreciate the concern for road safety and the well-being of all road users in the communities,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu noted that while the Bulawayo-Matopos Road falls under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, council remains responsible for routine maintenance, including the installation of road furniture and speed calming measures such as speed humps.
“The request has been duly noted and will be considered in line with council procedures,” she said.
