News / Local
Crash drivers threaten Joshua Nkomo statue
07 Dec 2015 at 01:26hrs | Views
THE Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Statue in Bulawayo is in danger of being knocked down by cars following a series of accidents at the site, a senior government official has said. On Friday, a high powered inter-ministerial committee visited the site at the intersection of 8th Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street to assess damage to the monument's bollards and pedestal.
National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) director Godfrey Mahachi told The Chronicle after the meeting that the committee would follow up with police to ensure motorists who had knocked down pillars around the statue, paid for the damage.
"We're really worried by the rate at which accidents are occurring at the Joshua Nkomo statue. This is an important heritage site and we don't expect accidents to happen here or people to tamper with the site.
"These incidents, however, indicate that the statue itself is in danger of being knocked down by cars. We've therefore met as NMMZ and other stakeholders to come up with necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of incidents of this nature," said Mahachi.
He said the committee was hoping to have the damage repaired before Unity Day on December 22.
He, however ruled out the possibility of reducing the size of the pedestal, as some motorists had suggested, saying it was meant to accommodate visitors to the site.
"There are a number of issues that we discussed in terms of protecting the statue and these include lighting, painting the perimeter of the statue and attaching reflectors.
"The issue of speed humps has also been suggested as a possible intervention. We however can't reduce the size of the deck because we've school children and other visitors that come to the site quite often. Motorists will have to learn to share the space.
"We're hoping that with time motorists will get used to the statue and try to be cautious. We'll try by all means to make sure that the statue is repaired before Unity Day so that we celebrate the day and the late Dr Nkomo's life with pride," said Mahachi.
Numerous accidents have occurred at the site but Mahachi noted four that caused actual damage to the bollards and pedestal of the statue. Motorists have blamed a sudden curve on the road, away from the statue for the accidents.
On Thursday last week, a driver who was racing escaped unhurt after his vehicle veered off the road and rammed into the pedestal of the statue. He was driving a Honda-CRV and failed to negotiate a curve near the monument.
"The road is straight but a few metres from the statue, one realises they've to curve away from it as they would suddenly be facing the pillars. There should be signs warning drivers about the curve," said a motorist.
National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) director Godfrey Mahachi told The Chronicle after the meeting that the committee would follow up with police to ensure motorists who had knocked down pillars around the statue, paid for the damage.
"We're really worried by the rate at which accidents are occurring at the Joshua Nkomo statue. This is an important heritage site and we don't expect accidents to happen here or people to tamper with the site.
"These incidents, however, indicate that the statue itself is in danger of being knocked down by cars. We've therefore met as NMMZ and other stakeholders to come up with necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of incidents of this nature," said Mahachi.
He said the committee was hoping to have the damage repaired before Unity Day on December 22.
He, however ruled out the possibility of reducing the size of the pedestal, as some motorists had suggested, saying it was meant to accommodate visitors to the site.
"The issue of speed humps has also been suggested as a possible intervention. We however can't reduce the size of the deck because we've school children and other visitors that come to the site quite often. Motorists will have to learn to share the space.
"We're hoping that with time motorists will get used to the statue and try to be cautious. We'll try by all means to make sure that the statue is repaired before Unity Day so that we celebrate the day and the late Dr Nkomo's life with pride," said Mahachi.
Numerous accidents have occurred at the site but Mahachi noted four that caused actual damage to the bollards and pedestal of the statue. Motorists have blamed a sudden curve on the road, away from the statue for the accidents.
On Thursday last week, a driver who was racing escaped unhurt after his vehicle veered off the road and rammed into the pedestal of the statue. He was driving a Honda-CRV and failed to negotiate a curve near the monument.
"The road is straight but a few metres from the statue, one realises they've to curve away from it as they would suddenly be facing the pillars. There should be signs warning drivers about the curve," said a motorist.
Source - chronicle
