Chief’s demise renews concerns on deplorable state of road
Providence Moyo
BULAWAYO-The death of Chief Mabhiwa in a car accident earlier this week, has reignited worries about the dire state of Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road.
Born Nicodemus Vusumuzi Khumalo, Chief Mabhikwa was involved in a fatal accident at the 195 kilometer peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road on Sunday evening in a head on collision with a haulage truck.
Motorists who ply the route have condemned the narrow and heavily pot-holed road that has allegedly become a death trap and calls for the government to intervene have reached a crescendo following the traditional leader’s death.
One motorist who identified himself as Mpofu decried the narrowness of the road as well as a lack of escape avenues for drivers especially when facing haulage trucks that usually take up the lion’s share of the road.
“…it is difficult to escape because there are big trees on the sides which means even if one tries to escape, it is in vain because one way or the other they crash,” said Mpofu.
Another driver, who shared the same sentiments with Mpofu said the road’s markings were no longer visible, making it too easy for vehicles to encroach onto wrong lanes and potentially cause accidents.
Matebeleland North Minister of State, Honourable Richard Moyo told Community Podium that plans to rehabilitate the road were underway.
“We have engaged contractors who are now fixing the road in Beitbridge and after that they will attend to the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road,” said Minister Moyo.
Matebeleland North Police Spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said police in the province have had a total of 24 reported cases of Road Traffic Accidents from the beginning of January 2022 to 27 May 2022, with 10 of those claiming lives.
“As the Zimbabwe Republic Police ( ZRP), we encourage citizens especially those doing night driving to consider the safety of other road users by using dip-switches whenever they see oncoming vehicles,” said Inspector Banda.
In February 2021, government declared Zimbabwe’s roads as a state of disaster and pledged to mobilise funds to rehabilitate the roads.
