BULAWAYO - The Ministry of Transport has banned vehicles over 60 tonnes from using the Birchenough bridge that joins Masvingo and Mutare. The bridge has reportedly been affected by corrosion, making it unsafe for travel. (Pictured: The Birchenough Bridge has been affected by corrosion)Haulage drivers who spoke to The Zimbabwean this week said following the ban, they were forced to use alternative, longer routes. “Last week I was forced to take the Chiredzi route to Mutare after I was told by officials manning the bridge that my load was above 60 tonnes,” said a driver, James Makore. Another truck driver, Manuel Josse, from Mozambique, said he was stranded for three days at the bridge.
“Last week I had a heated argument with officials at the bridge after they refused to let my truck pass. I spent three days at the bridge because my fuel allocation was not enough for me to take any other route. I only left the place on Friday morning after receiving more fuel from my company,” said Josse. Although no official comment could be obtained from the Ministry of Transport, sources at the bridge said some of the tensile steel which suspends the bridge above the river bed has developed serious corrosion.