Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – The ease of travel for people living close to Mwenezi River and beyond is now lower than ever before due to badly-damaged roads left behind by heavy rains that culminated in Cyclone Dineo earlier this year.
The Manyuchi – Maranda road, which is one of the few main arteries connecting people in different parts of the district, is now in a sorry state with gaping dongas that make the road hardly usable.
Small passenger vehicles and scotch-carts, the main modes of transport, have since withdrawn from the area.
Community members around Manyuchi have responded by forming a committee to try organise volunteers to patch the road with any material they can find.
Committee leader, Obert Shiriyapenga told TellZim News that travel in the district had never been harder.
“We cannot travel anymore so we have decided to do some work on our own so that those who are in a better position to help would find us doing something,” said Shiriyapenga.
Newly-elected Mwenezi East Member of Parliament Joosbi Omar said he was aware of the poor state of roads in his constituency.
“I am aware of the poor state of the roads like the Manyuchi – Maranda road. I am going to visit some of the areas that need urgent attention. I want to see how we can do something about it,” said Omar.
Fishermen plying their business at Manyuchi Dam also complained that business had gone down because motorists who used to be their main customers were no longer coming.
Other villagers also said critically ill people can no longer be rushed to hospital due to transport shortages.local
