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Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]

NAVIGATING Bulawayo’s major roads has become a daily nightmare for motorists, as they contend with an increasing number of potholes that have made many streets nearly impassable.

The recent rains, while a relief to residents and farmers, have exacerbated the problem, leaving drivers to carefully plan their routes to avoid the worst-hit areas.

Key roads, especially in the industrial area where major companies like Ingwebu Breweries and National Foods are located, have become no-go zones. These roads, once bustling with activity, are now riddled with potholes, making them nearly impossible to drive on.

Bad road along Old Khami road

As the city grapples with the growing pothole crisis, residents and motorists alike are calling for immediate and long-term solutions to restore Bulawayo’s road network to a safe and passable condition.

Commuter omnibus driver Mr Mxolisi Mpofu, who operates the Emakhandeni – City Centre route, highlighted the severity of the issue, particularly along 3rd Avenue and Lobengula Street, where some of the largest potholes have formed. A section of his usual route through 3rd Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street is closed for maintenance, forcing him and other drivers to take the detour via Lobengula Street, which is equally treacherous.

“Every kombi that uses Luveve Road into the city centre must turn into 3rd Avenue and Lobengula Street. We have no choice but to drive through huge potholes that are now in the middle of the road. I would expect such potholes in the western suburbs, not in the city centre,” said Mr Mpofu.

The road has become a thorn in the flesh for motorists as it is no longer trafficable. (Picture by Nkosizile Ndlovu)

The problem has worsened as the rains have deepened and widened the potholes, turning them into dangerous traps for unsuspecting drivers.

Mr Mpofu described the temporary solutions, such as dumping sand into the potholes, as ineffective.
“When it rains, the whole place becomes muddy and an eyesore,” he said.
Bulawayo United Passengers Transport Association chairman, Mr Morgan Msipa, expressed frustration over the growing number of potholes, particularly along busy roads connecting the city centre to the eastern and western suburbs.

The road has become a thorn in the flesh for motorists as it is no longer trafficable. (Picture by Nkosizile Ndlovu)

He called on the City Fathers to take urgent action before the situation worsens.
“We appreciate the work that the mayor, Councillor David Coltart, and his team have been doing to address the problem of bad roads, but we are now facing another challenge with potholes, especially on busy roads,” said Mr Msipa.

He pointed to sections of Khami Road, which have seen several accidents due to potholes, as areas that needs immediate attention.

Last Friday, a Chronicle news crew observed Bulawayo City Council (BCC) workers patching part of Khami Road near a bridge after the industrial areas. However, these efforts have proven temporary, as the rains quickly wash away the gravel patches, leaving the roads in even worse condition.

BCC communications officer, Ms Bongiwe Ngwenya acknowledged the city’s deteriorating road network, attributing much of the damage to the heavy rains.

She explained that about 75 percent of the city’s roads have exceeded their economic lifespan, making repairs challenging.
While gravel patching has been used as a stopgap measure, it is not a permanent solution. The shortage of road repair materials, especially asphalt concrete, has further hindered progress.

“If it rains, potholes re-emerge. By patching roads that have outlived their lifespan, we are only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Gravel patching is a temporary measure to keep the roads trafficable,” said Ms Ngwenya.

Bad road along Old Khami road

She added that the heavy rains and a lack of road repair materials, particularly asphalt, have further delayed major roadworks.
In 2021, Government declared the country’s roads a state of disaster due to significant damage caused by rains, leading to the launch of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP2). While the programme was initially set to end in 2023, it has been extended to 2026 due to funding constraints and competing national priorities, such as dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and the El Nino-induced drought.

A member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport, Knowledge Kaitano, stressed the need for timely maintenance and the revival of defunct Road Maintenance Units to ensure efficient roadworks across the country.

“The people of Zimbabwe have seen the improvements on some of the country’s roads, and they want that process to be accelerated across all roads. They want more funding to be allocated for road maintenance,” he said.

“When the rains occur, roads get damaged, but what the people want is for the roads to be maintained on time.”
The pothole problem is not confined to the city centre. The eastern and western suburbs are also plagued by large, hazardous potholes, making driving a challenge for residents across the city.

Social media user Ms Anele Nxumalo, expressed frustration on Facebook, accusing BCC of neglecting a large pothole in Hillside suburb despite multiple requests for repairs since November.

“Driving in Bulawayo now requires one to know exactly where to find the countless potholes on our roads. Last week, my cousin’s car was badly damaged when she drove into a huge pothole filled with water. I have called BCC multiple times, but it seems they don’t care,” she posted.