Road brigade deployed to clear bush along Bulawayo-Gwanda highway

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has deployed a road brigade to clear overgrown vegetation along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Highway, in a move aimed at improving safety and visibility for motorists.

The exercise, currently underway in Mawabeni in Umzingwane district, has seen teams of workers in high-visibility gear cutting back dense bush along the roadside as part of a broader nationwide road maintenance programme.

Officials say the initiative is designed to reduce hazards associated with overgrown vegetation, which can obstruct drivers' views, conceal pedestrians or animals, and limit space for emergency manoeuvres.

"The deployment of the road brigade reflects government's commitment to infrastructure maintenance," a ministry official said.

"By clearing roadside vegetation, we are creating safer driving conditions, particularly on key routes such as the Bulawayo-Gwanda Highway."

The programme is also expected to provide temporary employment opportunities for local communities involved in the clearing operations.

Motorists travelling through the affected areas have welcomed the development, noting improved visibility along previously overgrown stretches.

"The programme has improved visibility along sections that were posing a threat to road users," said one driver, Gilbert Nyoni.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution when passing through areas where maintenance crews are working and to adhere to road safety guidelines.