The City of Harare has acknowledged responsibility for repairing a stretch of road that is now in poor condition, with signs suggesting the work was poorly executed.
On Monday, February 24, social media personality Mmatigari brought the issue to the attention of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, describing the road’s rehabilitation as “a big crooked mess.” He wrote on X:
<blockquote>
The contractor who resurfaced Harare Drive from Arcturus Road to E D Mnangagwa Road (formerly Enterprise) cheated the people of Zimbabwe
The road surface moves and creates ridges and contours on the entire stretch adjacent to Oriel School at the intersection with Pringle Road.
It’s a big crooked mess.
We can’t surface roads and then need to redo them 2-3 years later. Tingavake Nyika yacho sei manje?
</blockquote>
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development responded and said that the section of the road was rehabilitated by the City of Harare. The Ministry said:
<blockquote>
Please be advised that the section of Harare Drive, stretching from Arcturus Road to ED Mnangagwa Road (formerly Enterprise Road), was rehabilitated by the City of Harare.
This project was not undertaken by the Ministry of Transport &amp; Infrastructural Development. Thank you.
</blockquote>
On Tuesday, the City of Harare confirmed it had contracted a private company to rehabilitate the road section in 2017.
The local authority said is investigating the issue and plans to repair the damaged areas as funds become available. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
Our attention has been drawn to a social media posting on the state of the road on Harare Drive between Acturus Road and ED Mnangagwa Road.
We confirm that the City of Harare indeed contracted a private company to rehabilitate the portion of the road in 2017.
The City of Harare is looking into the issue with a view of working on the damaged parts of the road as funds become available.
It would be prudent that more funds are availed to make sure that we rehabilitate as many link roads as possible to ease pressure on reconstructed roads.
We would like to thank the resident who highlighted the issue and we reiterate that action will be taken.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

The City of Harare says it's their fault that a road is in bad shape. A social media personality complained about the bad road work. The Ministry of Transport said the city did the work. The city admits they hired a private contractor in 2017. They plan to fix the road when they have enough money. They want more funds to fix other roads too. The city thanked the person who complained and promised to take action. They are investigating the problem.

City Of Harare Blames Poor Road Work On Private Contractor

Victoria Falls Municipality has started fixing roads after receiving $20 000 emergency road maintenance funds from the Zimbabwe National Roads Agency (Zinara). The roads were damaged by major rains in recent months.
Victoria Falls Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube said:
<blockquote>We have embarked on a project to clear storm drains and attend to potholes after heavy rains left excessive damage. Most of our road network was destroyed by the rains and we are currently assessing and quantifying the damage.
We received $20 000 for emergency work as part of a disbursement from the Road Network Fund and already we have started with Syringa Road. We will be doing all roads because as a tourist destination we need to have a good road network that attracts visitors.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/vic-falls-starts-emergency-roads-repairs/">Chronicle</a>

Vic Falls starts emergency road repairs after receiving $20 000 for Zinara

Minister of Local Government <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Saviour_Kasukuwere">Savior Kasukuwere</a>, wants to introduce tollgates in urban centres.  He believes this is the only way of solving the dilapidated road networks.  Potholes have now become the major characteristic of  Zimbabwean towns.
Addressing journalists yesterday  Kasukuwere said:
<blockquote>I think we also need to consider the issue of urban tollgates to raise funds and the money should go towards road rehabilitation … that is increasing the revenue base. But first our local authorities must improve on their priority list; I am talking about dealing with service delivery here. In the past we have seen councillors who focus on personal enrichment at the expense of service delivery.
Also we need a discussion around urban tollgates, it’s not a new thing, and it has been done elsewhere. People need to appreciate that there are some vehicles that do not leave <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Harare">Harare</a> and expect the roads to be maintained using tollgates fees, so we need to have the same concept within urban centres so that those vehicles that do not leave our cities, but expect the roads to be rehabilitated could also contribute</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/12/29/urban-tollgates-will-solve-pothole-problem-kasukuwere/" target="_blank">Newsday</a>

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