By Karen Sibanda
MASVINGO,The state of roads in Masvingo has deteriorated following weeks of heavy rains, leaving
many routes damaged and, in some cases, completely impassable.
The worsening conditions have raised serious concern among residents, transport operators, and local
authorities, as key access roads linking residential areas, business centres, and rural communities
continue to crumble under the impact of persistent downpours.
Potholes have widened into deep craters, some roads have been washed away, and drainage systems
have failed to cope with the volume of water, accelerating the damage. Commuters now face longer
travel times, increased transport costs, and heightened risks of accidents.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) Board Chairperson, Thomas Mbetu,
described the situation as critical, warning that the scale of destruction requires urgent and coordinated
intervention.
“The situation is critical. Our roads are severely damaged, with many now impassable, cutting off
communities and threatening lives. This destruction has risen to the level of a provincial disaster. We
urgently call on the City Council and the Ministry of Transport to intervene immediately and declare a
state of emergency to facilitate urgent repairs,” said Mbetu.
He added that beyond the visible damage, the road crisis was affecting livelihoods, particularly for
informal traders and rural farmers who rely on accessible roads to transport goods to markets. Mbetu
stressed that without swift action, the situation could worsen, especially in low-lying areas prone to
flooding, where further rainfall could completely isolate vulnerable communities.
Masvingo City Council’s Public Works Committee Chairperson, Richard Musekiwa, acknowledged the
poor state of the roads but indicated that the local authority was preparing to respond as the rainy
season comes to an end.
“The state of the roads is bad but as the rainy season is drawing to an end, our road maintenance teams
will be moving on the ground to attend to the roads. Council is mobilizing equipment and human capital
to execute the maintenance works. We hope that the central government is going to assist us,” said
Musekiwa.
Musekiwa noted that while council had limited resources, efforts were being made to prioritise the most
affected areas, particularly major access roads and routes servicing densely populated suburbs. He
emphasized that collaboration with central government and other stakeholders will be crucial in
ensuring that the rehabilitation programme is effective and sustainable.
Residents continue to face daily transport challenges, with commuter omnibuses avoiding certain routes
due to the poor conditions, forcing passengers to walk long distances or pay higher fares. Some
motorists have also reported frequent vehicle breakdowns caused by the deteriorating roads, further
increasing the cost of living.
There are growing calls for both immediate temporary interventions such as patching and grading and
long-term infrastructure rehabilitation to prevent recurring damage during future rainy seasons.
