Council urged to fix Matopos road 'death trap' hotspot

Residents of Ward Five in Bulawayo have petitioned the city council over a surge in road traffic accidents, some of them fatal, along the Bulawayo–Matopos Road, calling for the urgent installation of speed humps to curb reckless driving.

The affected area includes Four Winds, Eloena and parts of the Hillside suburbs, where residents say speeding vehicles travelling to and from Matopos have turned the busy road into a danger zone.

In a petition addressed to the Town Clerk and copied to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, as well as the Ministries of Local Government and Public Works and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, residents said at least four fatal accidents have occurred along the stretch in the past four months.

"We submit this petition out of deep concern for the increasing number of accidents and fatalities occurring along the Bulawayo–Matopos Road, particularly the stretch passing through our residential areas," the residents wrote.

"Over the past few months, four tragic deaths have occurred on this section of the road, all attributed to speeding vehicles travelling to and from Matopos. These incidents have left our community in fear and mourning. The road has effectively become a death trap for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike."

The residents urged authorities to take immediate remedial action to prevent further loss of life. Among their key demands are the erection of speed humps or rumble strips along the residential stretch of the road, the installation of clear signage indicating reduced speed limits, and increased traffic enforcement by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other road safety agencies.

They also called for improved street lighting and other visibility measures to enhance pedestrian safety, particularly at night.

In support of their petition, the residents cited examples where similar interventions have yielded positive results.

"We draw attention to successful precedents where similar measures were implemented, notably along the Bulawayo–Gweru Highway near Lookout Masuku Barracks and between Gweru and Kwekwe, where the introduction of speed humps significantly reduced accidents and saved lives," the petition reads.

"We therefore petition your offices to act with urgency in implementing safety measures on this road to prevent further unnecessary loss of life. The community stands ready to engage constructively with all authorities to find lasting solutions."

Bulawayo City Council has acknowledged receipt of the petition and indicated that the residents' concerns are under consideration.

Council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said while the Bulawayo–Matopos Road falls under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the local authority still has a role to play in routine maintenance and interim safety measures.

"Although the road was taken over by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, council remains responsible for ongoing or routine maintenance works in the interim, including associated road furniture and speed-reducing structures such as speed humps," Mpofu said.

Residents say they hope swift action will be taken before more lives are lost on the busy stretch of road.