Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is implementing a comprehensive modernisation programme to harmonise the country’s transport systems by installing weighbridges and truck arrestor beds at the Mutare tollgate and around Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
A critical safety feature, a truck arrestor bed provides a secure landing zone for laden trucks that experience brake failure while navigating the treacherous Christmas Pass curves and as they approach the tollgate; significantly reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities.
On the other hand, weighbridges at tollgates help monitor and enforce weight regulations for commercial vehicles, preventing overloaded trucks from damaging roads and bridges, while promoting road safety and reducing maintenance costs.
Plans are also afoot to set up a Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) depot in Chipinge to cater for residents from the district who are still traveling to Mutare, Rusape, Chiredzi and Marondera to acquire driver’s licences.
VID and Road Motor Transport director, Mr Allowance Sango said the establishment of weighbridges will make the enforcement of laws easier, while making it difficult for wrongdoers to evade inspection along highways.
Mr Sango said weighbridges enhance road safety as vehicles will stick to statutory weight limits.
Currently, VID officers mount roadblocks, and order suspected overloaded vehicles to their nearest depots for weighing, inconveniencing compliant ones.
At law, roadblocks for inspecting vehicular weight should be within 15 kilometres radius from the VID depot.
If VID officers direct a driver to travel for more than 15km for weight inspection, the law gives allowance for the driver or company to sue them for damages if the vehicle load is found to be within the stipulated limits.
“The ministry plans to integrate weighbridges at tollgates along major highways. The integration of weighbridges at tollgates will enhance road safety by enforcing weight restrictions, reducing infrastructure damage, and minimising accident risks. It strengthens compliance by creating centralised checkpoints for real-time monitoring, preventing overloaded vehicles from evading inspections. Additionally, this initiative streamlines operations through a one-stop-system combining toll payments, weighbridge checks, and vehicle inspections. This helps in cutting delays, easing administrative burdens, and supporting the Government’s ease-of-doing-business agenda.
“The selection of tollgates for weighbridge installation is still being finalised, with priority given to high-traffic corridors, and enhanced compliance monitoring is needed. An official announcement will be made once the sites are confirmed.
“The decision aligns with Government’s broader vision of improving service delivery and ease-of-doing-business. By integrating weighbridges and other regulatory services such as VID, RMT and the police at tollgates, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development seeks to create one-stop service centres. This holistic approach will enhance compliance among motorists, streamline operations, and improve efficiency in monitoring roadworthiness and load regulations,” he said.
Mr Sango also said VID is working round the clock to establish depots in major areas across the country for aspiring drivers to be tested closer to where they stay.
He confirmed that plans are afoot to establish a depot either in Chipinge or Birchenough Bridge to cater for the district, whose residents are still travelling long distances to Mutare, Rusape Chiredzi and Marondera to acquire driving services.
VID has a station at Birchenough Bridge, where it offers weighing services for vehicles intending to cross the iconic bridge.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development remains committed to expanding its services to underserved areas in line with the principles of devolution and ensuring that no person and no place is left behind. Plans for establishing a VID Depot in Chipinge urban or Birchenough Bridge Growth Point are underway, and once all logistical and operational requirements are finalised, the project will proceed as planned.
“The ministry is working to expand VID depots nationwide to improve accessibility and service delivery. While specific locations are still under consideration in other areas, the rollout will prioritise areas with high demand and limited access to vehicle inspection services. Further details will be announced once plans are finalised,” said Mr Sango.
Manicaland Provincial Roads Engineer, Raphael Sugauke said construction of the truck arrestor bed at the Mutare Tollgate has started.
He said another will be erected around the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital area to cater for vehicles that experience brake failure while descending the steep Christmas Pass curves.
“A truck arrestor bed is a safety structure designed to stop or slow down vehicles, particularly trucks, that experience brake failure or loss of control, especially on steep downhill grades. These beds are typically filled with sand, gravel, or other materials and are constructed to gradually bring a vehicle to a safe stop by dissipating its kinetic energy.
“Truck arrestor beds are often strategically located on roads with steep terrain, such as mountain passes, to prevent accidents and minimise damage. They can be an effective safety measure to protect drivers, passengers, and other road users. Already one is being constructed at the Mutare Tollgate, while another will be established around Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital,” said Engineer Sigauke.
The Christmas Pass, with its steep curves, has witnessed several tragic incidents involving trucks that develop brake failure, resulting in loss of lives and damage to property.
The truck arrestor beds will mitigate this risk, providing a controlled environment for trucks to safely lose momentum, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities.
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