Zinara raises concern over potholes on newly rehabilitated road

Published: 3 hours ago

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has raised concern over the condition of the Shurugwi - Mandamabwe Road, which is already developing potholes months after it was rehabilitated and commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December last year.

The road was officially commissioned on December 12, 2024, following rehabilitation and tarring works aimed at improving transport connectivity in the area.

Zinara regional manager Enock Masocha blamed the deterioration on overloaded heavy vehicles using the route and proposed the construction of a weighbridge at a planned tollgate site to control axle loads.

Masocha toured the road last week and expressed concern over the emergence of potholes on the route, which forms part of a regional transport corridor.

Some of the heavy vehicles blamed for the damage are linked to mining operations in Shurugwi, while others are transit trucks travelling through the Southern African region.

Shurugwi District Development Coordinator Shephered Mudhara supported the proposal for a weighbridge, saying it would help preserve the road's lifespan.

"There are overloading in trucks, so there will be a weighbridge at the new tollgate. The road has potholes due to overloading vehicles. There are many mining activities being carried here in Shurugwi," Mudhara said.

"The road now has potholes and this is not usual after two years. Some trucks are coming from South Africa on SADC trips since the road is a SADC corridor."

He said the damage was forcing the government to spend money on repairs earlier than expected.

"The damage I saw undermines road longevity and forces Government to spend money faster than it can raise it. If you pass through the road you see workers from the Department of Roads patching the road," he said.

Mudhara said the proposed weighbridge and tollgate would be located about 500 metres after Musavezi Bridge for traffic coming from Masvingo.

"We welcome the idea of a tollgate and weighbridge because it will help extend the lifespan of the road. The facility will enforce axle load limits and protect the road surface. Even these trucks carrying sand soil in Musavezi River need to go through a weighbridge because they are overloading," he added.
- Mirror

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