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80% of Matebeleland South roads untrafficable
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At least 80% of the road infrastructure in Matebeleland South has been severely damaged by heavy rains that have pounded Zimbabwe in recent weeks, a Zanu-PF lawmaker has claimed. The province has been one of the hardest-hit areas, with flooding rivers destroying bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure, cutting off communities from essential services and economic activities.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, who is also the Zanu-PF legislator for Bulilima, said the damage has left many roads impassable, severely affecting accessibility and trade. He highlighted the particularly dire state of the bridge connecting Plumtree to Maitengwe, a crucial economic link between Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.
"The road infrastructure is in a very bad state, and the worst hit is the bridge that connects Plumtree to Maitengwe," Phuti said. "We are engaging the responsible authorities, particularly the Ministry of Transport, to address this issue because it is an important economic corridor for cross-border trading."
The Maitengwe Border Post has long been a key trade hub for small-scale traders, particularly women, who rely on it to import and export goods such as groceries, textiles, and agricultural products. Phuti stressed that cross-border trade is the backbone of the region's economy, making it vital for authorities to act swiftly in repairing damaged infrastructure.
Beyond economic concerns, the lawmaker lamented the human cost of the destruction, noting that children have lost their lives trying to cross flooded rivers due to the lack of proper bridges. Schools have also been disrupted by storms and floods, exacerbating challenges faced by local communities.
Phuti called for urgent government intervention to rebuild and upgrade infrastructure to withstand extreme weather conditions. He urged authorities to prioritize the repair of critical roads and bridges to restore normalcy and sustain the region's economic resilience.
"This is a matter of urgency. We need to work together to ensure that the necessary repairs are done to protect lives and livelihoods," he said.
As heavy rains continue to wreak havoc, the fate of Matebeleland South's economy and daily life depends on swift and effective government action.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, who is also the Zanu-PF legislator for Bulilima, said the damage has left many roads impassable, severely affecting accessibility and trade. He highlighted the particularly dire state of the bridge connecting Plumtree to Maitengwe, a crucial economic link between Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.
"The road infrastructure is in a very bad state, and the worst hit is the bridge that connects Plumtree to Maitengwe," Phuti said. "We are engaging the responsible authorities, particularly the Ministry of Transport, to address this issue because it is an important economic corridor for cross-border trading."
The Maitengwe Border Post has long been a key trade hub for small-scale traders, particularly women, who rely on it to import and export goods such as groceries, textiles, and agricultural products. Phuti stressed that cross-border trade is the backbone of the region's economy, making it vital for authorities to act swiftly in repairing damaged infrastructure.
Beyond economic concerns, the lawmaker lamented the human cost of the destruction, noting that children have lost their lives trying to cross flooded rivers due to the lack of proper bridges. Schools have also been disrupted by storms and floods, exacerbating challenges faced by local communities.
Phuti called for urgent government intervention to rebuild and upgrade infrastructure to withstand extreme weather conditions. He urged authorities to prioritize the repair of critical roads and bridges to restore normalcy and sustain the region's economic resilience.
"This is a matter of urgency. We need to work together to ensure that the necessary repairs are done to protect lives and livelihoods," he said.
As heavy rains continue to wreak havoc, the fate of Matebeleland South's economy and daily life depends on swift and effective government action.
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