UPDATED: Truck plunges into ditch as road caves in

November 23, 2019

UPDATED: Truck plunges into ditch as road caves in

A suspected burst pipe resulted in the caving in of the road surface as the unsuspecting driver of this truck passed through yesterday morning along Khami road in Bulawayo.The Bulawayo city council has been experiencing multiple bursts of both sewer and treated water pipes due to old lines which are due for replacement.(Picture by Eliah Saushoma)

Sharon Buwerimwe, Chronicle Reporter

THE Bulawayo City Council has explained the accident in which a truck plunged into a ditch in the city yesterday resulting in the image going viral on social media platforms.

It is alleged that the driver was avoiding another pothole and swerved into the ditch. He did not have any visible injuries and no other vehicle was involved in the accident.

In a statement, Bulawayo City Council Senior Public Relations officer Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said after a pipe burst the weight of the vehicle led to the road caving in and collapsing.

“The City of Bulawayo did receive communication of the unfortunate incident of a road collapse on Steelworks Road on the morning of Friday, 22 November 2019,” read the statement. “A burst occurred on the 12 inch pipeline supplying water to Industry, Thorngrove Industry and surrounding areas.”

Most of the roads in the city are in a poor state and their condition is worsening due to the rains.

Some of the roads have gone for years without being rehabilitated, creating a hazard for road users and giving motorists extra costs.

In some parts, council covered potholes with gravel only which is now being washed away by the rains exposing the potholes. — @sharonbuwe