Pothole crisis turns Bulawayo roads into daily nightmares

Motorists in Bulawayo are facing a daunting challenge as potholes continue to multiply across the city, making major roads nearly impassable. The recent rains, while welcomed by residents and farmers, have worsened the already deteriorating road network, forcing drivers to carefully plan their routes to avoid the worst-affected areas.

Key roads in the industrial area, home to major companies such as Ingwebu Breweries and National Foods, have become hazardous. Streets once bustling with activity are now riddled with potholes, effectively turning them into no-go zones.

Commuter omnibus drivers, who bear the brunt of the issue, have voiced their frustration. Mr. Mxolisi Mpofu, who operates the Emakhandeni–City Centre route, highlighted the severity of the situation, especially along 3rd Avenue and Lobengula Street. "Every kombi that uses Luveve Road into the city centre must turn into 3rd Avenue and Lobengula Street. We have no choice but to drive through huge potholes that are now in the middle of the road," he said.

The temporary closure of sections of 3rd Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street for maintenance has forced drivers onto detours that are equally treacherous. "I would expect such potholes in the western suburbs, not in the city centre," added Mr. Mpofu.

Bulawayo United Passengers Transport Association chairman, Mr. Morgan Msipa, called for urgent action from the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), emphasizing the need for immediate attention to roads like Khami Road, which has seen several accidents due to potholes. "We appreciate the efforts of the mayor, Councillor David Coltart, but the pothole crisis, especially on busy roads, needs to be addressed before the situation worsens," said Mr. Msipa.

Last week, a Chronicle news crew observed BCC workers patching part of Khami Road near a bridge in the industrial area. However, these temporary gravel patches have proven ineffective, as the rains quickly wash them away, leaving the roads in an even worse state.

BCC communications officer, Ms. Bongiwe Ngwenya, acknowledged the city's deteriorating road network, attributing much of the damage to heavy rains and the aging infrastructure. She revealed that 75 percent of Bulawayo's roads have exceeded their economic lifespan. While gravel patching has been used as a temporary measure, she admitted that it is not a permanent solution.

"If it rains, potholes re-emerge. By patching roads that have outlived their lifespan, we are only treating the symptoms, not the root cause," said Ms. Ngwenya, adding that a shortage of road repair materials, particularly asphalt concrete, has further delayed progress.

The national government declared the country's roads a state of disaster in 2021, launching the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP2). Initially set to end in 2023, the programme has been extended to 2026 due to funding constraints and competing national priorities, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and drought recovery.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport member Knowledge Kaitano stressed the importance of timely maintenance and the revival of defunct Road Maintenance Units to ensure effective roadworks. "When rains occur, roads get damaged, but the people want timely maintenance. The improvements on some roads should be accelerated," he said.

The pothole crisis extends beyond the city centre, with suburbs like Hillside also plagued by hazardous roads. Frustrated residents have turned to social media to highlight the issue. One user, Ms. Anele Nxumalo, shared her experience on Facebook, lamenting the lack of action from BCC despite repeated requests for repairs since November.

"Driving in Bulawayo now requires one to know exactly where the potholes are. Last week, my cousin's car was badly damaged after hitting a huge pothole filled with water. I have called BCC multiple times, but it seems they don't care," she posted.

As residents and motorists call for immediate and long-term solutions, the worsening state of Bulawayo's roads is a stark reminder of the need for sustainable infrastructure investment and timely maintenance. For now, navigating the city's roads remains a daily ordeal for its drivers.