Online Reporter
Andile Tshuma
Zimpapers Writer
GOVERNMENT should consider installing weighbridges on all major highways to curb the movement of heavy cargo by road and encourage greater use of rail transport.
This is crucial in protecting the country’s roads from rapid deterioration, experts have said.
The call was made during a Public Policy and Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRI) indaba held in Bulawayo on Thursday last week, which brought together policymakers, development practitioners, and industry experts to discuss various economic development issues particularly Illicit financial flows.
Development finance and economic practitioner, Mr Zibusiso Mkhwananzi, highlighted the ongoing rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls Highway, cautioning that without strict penalties on overloaded trucks, the road could quickly return to a deplorable state.
“We cannot continue to rebuild highways only to watch them being destroyed by heavy trucks. The Government must enforce weight limits through fully functional weighbridges.
“This is about protecting our roads and saving lives,” Mr Mkhwananzi said.
Weighbridges were critical not only for protecting road infrastructure, but also for ensuring passenger safety.
Overloaded trucks have been linked to an increase in road accidents, especially on high-traffic highways.
“Every overloaded truck on our highways is a ticking time bomb for commuters. Proper monitoring will not only preserve infrastructure, but also save lives,” Mr Mkhwananzi added.
He urged the Government to shift bulk cargo to rail, saying the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) remained a vital yet underutilised resource.
The call echoes recent remarks by Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who has been vocal about the urgent need to revive NRZ to protect the country’s road networks.
“Reviving NRZ is not optional, it’s essential. A functional railway reduces pressure on our roads, creates jobs, and strengthens the economy. Without it, our highways, particularly in Bulawayo, will continue to deteriorate under heavy freight traffic,” said Adv Mudenda.
He urged Parliamentarians and policymakers to support measures that incentivise rail use and regulate road freight through weighbridges and strict penalties for overloaded vehicles.
Indaba participants stressed that adopting these measures is crucial to safeguarding Zimbabwe’s transport infrastructure, protecting commuters, and ensuring that the nation’s road and rail networks operate efficiently in support of economic growth.
