Dombo bridge under rehabilitation after 6 years of no use

By Jonah B Moyo

Dombo Bridge in Ward 15, Gwanda South is undergoing rehabilitation after six years of disrepair.

The bridge, a key route linking Gwanda town to Zezani via Ntepe Turn, had been unusable since it was damaged in 2020. During that time, vehicles relied on a sand crossing, with several cars and buses reportedly getting stuck, especially during the rainy season.

The situation severely disrupted public transport, as operators avoided the route to prevent damage to their vehicles. Villagers were often forced to wait for hours for water levels to subside before attempting to cross.

Rehabilitation works are now being carried out by the Ward 15 community, with technical support from the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA). The project aims to construct a durable structure that will improve mobility and boost transport services in the area.

A local villager, Sithabile Nyoni said the damaged bridge had long affected connectivity between communities.

“This bridge links Ward 15 to other wards and Gwanda town. Crossing on sand is dangerous because vehicles could get stuck, and with frequent rains, there was always a risk of flooding sweeping cars away,” she said.

She added that the rehabilitation would help restore reliable transport services.

“We are glad that our councillor and the committee came up with a solution. We hope this will bring a modern bridge and improve access to public transport, which has been a challenge due to poor road conditions,” she added.

Transport operators also welcomed the development. Kelvin Dube, a taxi driver who uses the route, said the damaged bridge had made it difficult to serve the community.

“We struggled to transport passengers because the crossing damaged our vehicles, especially the sump and exhaust,” he said.

“But we are happy to see the bridge being rehabilitated. It will make movement easier and benefit everyone who depends on this route,” Dube said.

Ward 15 councillor Emmanuel Makhabane Ndlovu said the project was initiated after the community recognised the urgent need to restore access.

“The bridge has been deteriorating since 2020, making it difficult for people to travel. As a ward development commite, we agreed to rehabilitate it and mobilised resources from the community and well-wishers,” he said.

He added that leftover cement from the Makapakapa Dam rehabilitation project had been redirected to support the bridge works.

“We also engaged RIDA for technical expertise. The new design will allow water to pass beneath the bridge through installed pipes, reducing the risk of future damage,” he said.

The councillor commended the community for its contributions, including providing food and other support to workers on site.

“We appreciate everyone who has contributed towards this project. Their support is helping ensure the bridge is completed on time,” he said.

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