Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]
IT is now the third week and this haulage truck (see pix) continues to obstruct traffic at one of the busiest road intersections in Bulawayo after it got stuck and blocked a double lane leading to the city centre along Hyde Park Road near Patapata Beer Hall.
Motorists have blasted the Bulawayo City Council and the owner of the truck for failing to urgently attend to the situation, which poses a danger to other road users and members of the public.
The haulage truck has been stuck over a big trench dug by the city council following a water pipe burst a few days before Christmas day.
The truck got stuck after the driver allegedly failed to see the trench ahead after thieves reportedly stole warning signs and reflective tape that were placed around the excavation to warn motorists.
The council has confirmed receiving the report on Christmas day around noon and says when its team visited the site, it was noted that signage, drums, and barricading tapes were removed or stolen.
“Once the recovery process has been completed, council teams will move in to complete the works,” said the council in a recent statement without stating who is responsible for the truck recovery.
Motorists who use the road have complained that it is now difficult to navigate through the intersection as the truck is obstructing oncoming traffic on both sides. Some said using only one lane for both oncoming and opposite traffic was risky, adding that the area was a black spot that is prone to serious accidents.
A kombi driver, Mr Brighton Ndlovu, said the route has become dangerous, especially during peak hours and when traffic lights are not working due to load shedding.
He challenged relevant authorities to urgently remove the truck before more damage was incurred.
“With schools opening this week, traffic is going to increase and l can only imagine the nightmare that is going to be on this road,” he said.
“Whoever is supposed to move this truck should do so before life is lost on this road. Besides, what kind of act is this that a truck stays in one area for almost three weeks, and it’s not just sitting on any road but on one of the busiest roads you will ever get.”
Another motorist, Mr Mandla Sibanda, said they feared more disaster would occur in the event of heavy rains as the road tends to be slippery and visibility will be impaired by the truck obstruction, especially at night.
“Had it rained heavily, we would be talking of something else here but we are still having difficulties moving around this spot as drivers,” he said.
“The rains would have made our work more difficult. The city council should have that truck removed since they are the ones who had initially dug that trench.
“I would not be surprised if we stay for three months with this truck here because the local authority has shown us that they are incapable of doing a simple thing.”
Another driver who only identified himself as Mr Ndiweni said the owner of the truck should also be tracked and charged for causing a hazard for other road users and pedestrians.
He said the truck should have been moved on the day or a day after the incident happened instead of keeping it there for so long.
“As residents, we should also be ashamed of ourselves because if the city council is saying hazards were stolen it means we are putting the lives of drivers at risk.
“Why would a person steal such a thing? Where are they even taking that thing,” said Mr Ndiweni.
The news crew is yet to locate the truck owners as the company is said to be based in Harare.
According to the council, the 30-tonne truck got stuck while heading towards the city centre and drove through the barricades, and got stuck over the trench on December 24, 2023, at around 8pm opposite Trek Service Station and no one was injured.
While initial pipe burst repairs were completed on December 14, 2023, the council says the excavated trench was not immediately backfilled to allow the repaired pipe to be re-charged and monitored for leaks; and consultation with owner(s) of underground cables.
The council has said the extent of the work affected the inner lanes of both carriageways. — @flora_sibanda
Online Reporter