By Sibonginkosi Mpala
The state of roads in Ward 19, Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South, especially the one from the highway to Bomb Range, has become a pressing issue as residents continue to face severe transportation challenges.
The road, riddled with potholes, is almost impassable, especially after the recent heavy rains.
A villager and a local driver, Vincent Khuphe, shared his experience navigating the damaged road.
โThe road is bad and has worsened due to the recent heavy rains. Itโs damaging to vehicle suspensions, and we are forced to service our vehicles far too frequently,โ he said.
โThe condition of the road increases transport costs for farmers and everyone who relies on it. We donโt even know when it was last graded. Itโs become a huge burden for all of us.โ
Another local in Zimbili, Violet Ndlovu, added to the frustrations, saying it was hard for people to travel to the clinic or send their children to school.
โWhen it rains, we are stuck with no transport. The government needs to do something about this,โ she said.
Among the concerned villagers is a prominent local leader, human rights defender, academic and car owner, Senator Felix Magalela Sibanda.
Magalela, who lives in Zimbili, lamented the struggles his fellow villagers faced regarding the poor state of the roads.
โAs a villager in Zimbili, I personally feel the struggle, especially with the road conditions. Owning a car, I can testify firsthand that the road situation is not just an inconvenience but a serious barrier to accessing essential services,โ he said.
โWhen it rains, we cannot get to the clinic or even to the main road for transport. It is incredibly frustrating for everyone here.โ
Sibanda further commented on the lack of development in the community.
โItโs sad because the very same road is being used by military vehicles. Itโs disheartening to see that the needs of the citizens, those who depend on this road for basic survival, are overlooked. Despite the communityโs efforts to repair sections of the road, the damage is so severe that temporary fixes are no longer effective.โ
Villagers have resorted to filling potholes with sand and stones, but heavy rains wash away these makeshift repairs, which Sibanda said left the road in โworse condition.โ
Ward 19 Councillor Pilate Sibanda, highlighted the dire state of various roads in the area.
โThere is a problem with our roads, particularly the Bombrange road, which has not been repaired for almost 22 years. This road connects Falcon Turnoff to Mbembesi on the Harare Road, and it is not in good condition. I have raised a complaint with the council, and also sent it to the office of the committee (RDDC),โ he said.
The councillor said other roads, such as the Ntabende and โWhites Runโ road, also need grading.
โThere is a new road that needs repair. This road runs from Whites Run to the new school, and it also needs grading. There is another road, Maluzwaphi, which is in a bad state. It was last repaired almost eight years ago,โ Sibanda said.
โA complaint about its repair has been sent to the council, but the money is still needed for the repairs.โ
The councillor acknowledged that urgent action is needed to rehabilitate the roads, as the situation continues to worsen.
โThe road issue is no longer just an inconvenience. It is affecting the livelihoods, education and healthcare access of everyone in Zimbili,โ Sibanda said.
This story was produced as part of the CITE Youth Network training program, which aims to empower young women in rural communities with digital skills, enhancing their ability to create and share community news.
