adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
A POTHOLE along Luveve Road near the Nguboyenja fly-over, which nearly cost Bulawayo comedian and socialite Babongile Sikhonjwa his life, is now a death trap.
Last month, Sikhonjwa who was driving a Mercedes Benz C230, reportedly failed to negotiate a curve after his vehicle hit the pothole resulting in him failing to control the vehicle and overturning.
Chronicle yesterday visited the scene of the accident.
The pothole is about a metre wide and 15 to 20 centimetres deep yet the council has not taken any action to close it.
Vehicles approaching the lane with the huge pothole were making emergency stops to avoid driving through it.
A number of cars would encroach the other lane in a bid to avoid the pothole, nearly causing accidents in the process.
The city’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gift Banda, said council was not aware of how big and dangerous the pothole was.
“We haven’t heard any reports about it. As a council we rely on information given to us by the people. It’s unfortunate that such an accident happened but we’ll continue to do our best in ensuring that the roads are safe,” said Clr Banda.
He said the council was facing financial challenges but would continue making efforts to repair all its roads.
“Road rehabilitation is an ongoing process. Like any other sector of the economy the council is facing financial challenges to fast-track the process. The rains have also worsened the pothole situation but we’ll continue applying ourselves towards repairing our roads. We’ll try our level best,” he said.
Sikhonjwa was hospitalised at Mpilo Central Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit for close to two weeks and was only discharged on Monday after the accident left him with a broken collar bone and cracked ribs.
Online Reporter