Story by Providence Maraneli
AS part of efforts under the National Development Strategy 1 to establish an efficient road network that supports economic growth, the phased rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo highway has commenced with work now underway on the Mazunga stretch in Beitbridge.
The Mazunga stretch had become impassable, with the phased rehabilitation project bringing relief to motorists along the highway whose detour had become a robbery hotspot.
“We are so happy to see the road now being attended to. It shows the seriousness of our nation,” a community member said.
“This stretch had become bad, and the detour had become a haven of robbers. Every day, every day trucks are being robbed, so we are happy to see this road being attended to,” a motorist said.
“We are seeing development in our country; this is what we want,” a driver said.
With initial earthworks having been done, the stretch is expected to open to traffic next month.
“We have already reaped and put some spot dumps, compacted, now we are just finalising, and we will be priming in seven days, and we would need 14 days to surface,” Site foreman Steps and Paths, Mr Charles Mudzuri said.
The road is a crucial link between Zimbabwe and its major trading partner, South Africa; its efficiency is critical to economic development.
“This road is very critical to us as Matabeleland South, and more so now that we are going to be hosting the independence. We need all our roads to be in good shape. This is the road that links to all businesses in South Africa, tourists going to Victoria Falls, businesses that use this road going to Livingstone, so we are quite happy,” Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe said.
The Mazunga stretch joins a long list of roads being attended to in Matabeleland South province like the Gwanda-Maphisa, Plumtree-Maitengwe and Bulawayo-Kezi roads.
