Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
A total of US$108 million is required to rehabilitate Mutare’s roads, town clerk Mr Blessing Chafesuka has said.
Mr Chafesuka told stakeholders who attended a roads indaba at Mutare Hall yesterday that the majority of the city’s road network is overdue for rehabilitation.
“Sixty-nine percent (350km) of the roads require total rehabilitation, reconstruction and upgrading while the remaining 157 km or 31 percent are in a serviceable state,” he said.
“Without adequate funding, let us not expect major changes. In fact, we should brace for the worst.”
Mr Chafesuka said in 2024, the City of Mutare received US$447 398, 79 from the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (Zinara).
“Special roads rates raised US$248 156, 40 while parking fees raised US$531 369, 34. Depending on the state of the road, this amount can do about 0,9 km up to 1,5 km at best,” he said.
“Annually about 25km deteriorate and require reconstruction,” he said.
Mr Chafesuka said whenever the local authority manages to repair up to 5km, it compromises on other services to give priority to roads.
“But we can’t correct an anomaly by creating another anomaly. Roads done in 2024 are 3,5km in Sakubva at $942 042,03 and $134 329, 86 from Zinara. We also did 1,6km of Chaminuka Road at a cost of $445 731,17,” he said.
Mr Chafesuka said the city’s roads are in a state of disrepair with issues such as clogged drainages, potholes, incomplete housing servicing projects and lack of roads in some areas.
“The total road network is 507 kilometres – 293 km tarred roads and 214km earth road,” said Mr Chafesuka.
