Major roads almost impassable

MUTARE – Driving along Mutare’s major roads has become a nightmare for motorists as potholes and gullies have become death-traps.

There has already been on serious accident, when a driver tried to avoid a ditch in the road. Although the motorist escaped unhurt, his car was badly damaged.

Some commuter bus operators have pulled out of some of the seriously affected routes to high density areas, including Hobhouse, Nyamauru and Chikanga 3. Commuter and pirate taxi operators have jumped into the breach and are charging fares up to Z$3m for a distance that should cost Z$800,000.   

Unemployed Sakubva and Chikanga youths have formed a club that is moving around the affected residential areas repairing the roads and asking for payment from passing motorists.     

The leader of the group, John Chikuni of Chikanga Phase 3, said they found it noble to rehabilitate the roads.

Said Chikuni: “We found out that some car and commuter bus owners were shunning the roads. So we thought of rehabilitating the roads so that motorists can travel safely. We charge a small fee to those willing. We do not force anyone but it just a token of appreciation.”

Motorist Moses Marume said the youths had done a great job at a time when the commission had failed.

“If leaders or commissioners of a city fail to do such things, then we wonder if they have the city and the residents at heart. The youths have done a very significant job and they have left egg on the faces of these so-called city commissioners. We appreciate what the youths have done. Personally I gave them Z$20m as a token of appreciation. The road is now passable,” he said.

Residents and motorists have called for the resignation of Fungai Chaeruka, who chairs the commission running Mutare’s affairs. They are irked by the fact that the commission has not prioritised road repairs.

The City Council has been filling the potholes and ditches with gravel but, due to incessant rains, the gravel is washed away after a day.

“The City Fathers have completely failed. I don’t know whether they are using the same roads that we are all using. Does Chombo [Ignatius Chombo, Minister of Public Works and Local Government] know this? They must let us vote for responsible leaders and not…thieves masquerading as commissioners,” said John Mushukuto, a resident of Hobhouse.

Motorist Tameson Akino of Chikanga Phase 3 said: “I have stopped using my car because I will run a big loss. How can I travel on roads that are full of ditches? Spare parts are now expensive. These commissioners are not serious at all. Why should we have a commission running the affairs of the city imposed on us? We will vote for councillors whom we know…will deliver.”

Contacted for a comment, Fungai Chaeruka was said to be out of the office. His mobile number was continuously unreachable and close sources said he had not been feeling well.

Acting Town Clerk Obert Muzawazi, however, said the council would embark on an exercise of filling and patching the roads.

“We are going to fill and patch the roads as soon as the weather changes. We will do that as soon as the rains stop. We have already budgeted for that and we have the tar and bitumen at our stocks. I think we will start this work at the end of February. We will start with the major roads that are regularly used by commuter omnibuses and then move on to other smaller roads,” said Muzawazi. – Own correspondent