Prince Chese
Residents, vendors, and transport operators in the border town have raised an urgent alarm over the “deplorable” state of local roads, claiming the deep potholes are now a threat to both health and safety.
In a series of interviews with Ziyah News Network, locals who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed deep frustration with the Beitbridge Council’s failure to repair infrastructure that has been crumbling for over a year.
“More Potholes Than Cars”
Commuters and motorists described the roads as a nightmare, with one resident jokingly asking if the council was “farming” potholes.
“A trip from the Mbedzi area to the Dulibadzimu bus terminus that should take 20 minutes now takes a full hour,” said one resident. “There are more holes than cars on these roads. We need a plan now.”
Health and Safety Fears
The community is also worried about the physical toll of the bumpy, dusty roads. Residents pointed to a rise in respiratory issues caused by dust and expressed fear for patients in transit.
Residents claim ambulances are struggling to transport the sick safely due to the rough terrain.
There are also growing fears that the severe jolting of vehicles on broken roads poses a risk of miscarriage for pregnant women.
Locals linked the constant dust from the unrepaired roads to an increase in health complications like Tuberculosis.
Public transporters are among the hardest hit. Drivers reported that the deep craters are destroying vehicle ball joints and suspension systems, leading to frequent and expensive repairs.
“We are appealing for quick road construction from the council,” said another resident. “The harm being caused to our vehicles and our bodies is too much to handle.”
As the situation worsens, the people of Beitbridge are demanding that the local authority moves beyond temporary fixes and begins a complete reconstruction of the town’s inner-city roads.