Branton Matondo
Mutare- Parents with school-going children, community stakeholders, People with Disabilities (PwDs) and residents have expressed worry of an impending disaster over the sorry state of Sakubva footbridge connecting Old Townships and National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).
Concerns over a rust eaten base and absence of supporting bars have raised questions on the accountability of responsible authorities.
The footbridge is used on a regular basis by residents who come to and from town and Chikanga.
A resident from Sakubva, Tafadzwa Chidare said children often run on the bridge which has not only developed depressions at the base but has no side support bars.
“Council should act now. City fathers should not react when a disaster occurs. Such structures are important because they are used every day. Sometimes you doubt before crossing the bridge showing the level of dilapidation,” said Chidare.
Another resident Memory Chihohwa from Old Townships said there is need to build a completely new bridge.
“I am one of the people who use the bridge on a daily basis. There is need to completely construct a new bridge, one with proper standards and that is a bridge which is safe for children, the elderly and people with disabilities,” said Chihohwa.
Contacted for comment, Mutare Central Constituency Member of Parliament Innocent Gonese told this publication that the issue is under discussion and it is one of the priorities this year to revamp public structures for easy access.
“The issue of people with disability was raised on access to public places. So that’s one thing we are definitely going to look at, in particular issues pertaining to footbridges. We will do an assessment and map a way forward. It’s an issue of concern since the bridge is used by residents from Sakubva,” said Gonese.
People with Disability (PwDs) champion Rutendo Makamure recently called for the local authority to prioritize restructuring of the footbridge for easy accessibility.
Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) Programmes Director David Mutambirwa also said children’s lives were at risk.
“We are very concerned with the neglect by City fathers with regards to Sakubva footbridge. School children and members of the public are at risk particularly during the rainy season as they cross Sakubva River to school in Chikanga and vice versa. Residents who cross the same river to Sports field Market place are equally at risk. We implore council to seriously pay attention to the bridge,” said Mutambirwa.
The issue was raised during council’s budget consultation meetings across 19 wards within Mutare but the city fathers are yet to respond to the issue.
Residents also raised the same issue at a community engagement meeting held at Moffat Hall on the December 8, 2022 citing that council public structures are beyond repair.
