By Rex Mphisa
MOTORISTS using the Beitbridge-Bulawayo road will have to bear the bumpy ride at the detour near the Zebra Hilltop Lodge, where the contractor is nowhere in sight.
This is despite recent undertakings the stretch will be complete by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Joshua Sacco on his recent visit to Beitbridge.
A visit to the site by Ziyah News Network revealed the contractor had long abandoned ship and motorists where back to the nightmarish drive.
“The contractor left after doing just a kilometre. It was almost immediately after ministers (Albert) Nguluvhe and Sacco visited. He left, saying the money he received was inadequate. He said he could not afford fuels,” said a source.
Sacco led a high-powered delegation of officials from his ministry, including engineers and senior staff on the visit during which he promised work on the stretch that has been neglected for years would finally be completed.
The detour has become difficult to navigate after heavy rains, which left some portions too wet, resulting in vehicles getting stuck.
Most sections are too bumpy and hard to navidate with smaller vehicles.
Motorists also fear the return of criminals who took advantage of the slow movement of vehicles to rob motorists.
Although police later arrested some criminals responsible for the numerous incidences, the oncoming festives were likely to create attraction for rime when traffic thickens.
Nguluvhe, who is the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South, said he spoke to the Provincial Roads Engineer about the stretch.
“I talked to engineer (Mangisi) Nkomo last night about the road. You are aware that is also my road, which I use as I go to Gwanda. He promised me that by next week the contractor will be back . However, there are moves to bring Bitumen (world) to do the road from Beitbridge to Bulawayo,” said Nguluvhe.
The Beitbridge – Bulawayo road is arguably one of he most active economic arteries of Zimbabwe used by traffic from South Africa to the country’s southern region.
It also services tourists travelling by road to the Mosi-a-Tunya one of Zimbabwe’s and the world’s prime tourist attractions.
It is also used by oMalayitsha, who bring goods and hand delivered remittances from South Africa to the southern region.
Motorists interviewed in a random survey share a common feeling that not enough attention is being given to the road, which is vital to the country’s economy.
“We hope Bitumen World comes down to the ground or it becomes a miserable Christmas for motorists using that road,” said a motorist.