By Ndumiso Tshuma
Residents of Ward 4 in Bulawayo are voicing their frustration over the deteriorating state of the roads in their community.
Complaints about potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces have been mounting, with residents expressing concerns about safety hazards and the negative impact on their vehicles.
Residents such as Tapiwa Mugadza, say roads in Ward 4 have been neglected for far too long, making it increasingly difficult to navigate the neighbourhood safely.
“The poor road conditions are not only inconvenient but also pose a risk to drivers and pedestrians,” said Mugadza.
Another resident, Samuel Phiri, highlighted the ongoing financial burden placed on residents due to the constant need for vehicle repairs caused by the rough road surfaces.
“The state of the roads is taking a toll on our vehicles, leading to costly repairs that could be avoided if the roads were properly maintained. I constantly have to fix the shocks on my car because of the bad roads, and now residents have resorted to putting sand in the potholes, which is never sufficient because when it rains, the potholes become worse,” said Phiri.
Godfrey Moyo stated that this is not just an inconvenience, it’s a safety hazard, and that the local authorities must prioritise infrastructure to ensure residents can travel safely.
“We need better maintenance or at least some temporary repairs before someone gets hurt. It’s embarrassing to live in a neighbourhood where the roads are this bad. It’s unsafe for our children and a nuisance for everyone,” said Moyo.
Ward 4 councillor David Coltart said that the local government is actively working on a plan to address the maintenance and repair needs in the community.
However, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has received extremely limited funding from Zinara this year, so only major arterial roads can be repaired.
“Bulawayo City Council has received extremely limited funding from Zinara this year, which has been concentrated on Harare. The little money we have has had to be spent on major arterial roads,” said Coltart.
Coltart added that the rehabilitation of roads in the area is not likely to happen in the short term, as the government still has to address decades of neglect and mismanagement.
“I regret to inform you that the reconstruction of roads is not likely to happen in the short term. We have decades of neglect and mismanagement to overcome,” said Coltart.
