By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The government of Zimbabwe has issued a statement denying a viral image showing three individuals posing for a photo while seated inside a large pothole was taken along the heavily damaged Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.
This road, which connects much of Zimbabwe to the iconic Victoria Falls, has suffered years of neglect, resulting in significant damage to its infrastructure.
The image, which circulated widely on social media, prompted embarrassment amongst officials as it illustrated the extent of the highway’s deterioration.
While the photo appeared to be a humorous take on the road conditions, it highlighted ongoing frustrations from citizens over the government’s slow response to calls for repairs.
In its statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development acknowledged that certain sections of the highway are indeed in urgent need of rehabilitation but insisted that the image does not depict any part of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.
“It has come to our attention that a social media post is circulating, showing three people posing in a pothole on a road claimed to be part of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway,” the ministry stated.
“While we acknowledge that certain sections of the highway are in dire need of rehabilitation, the images in the post do not correspond to any section of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway,” read part of the statement.
The ministry outlined that repairs are currently in progress through a collaborative effort between the Department of Roads and Bitumen World, with teams stationed in Hwange, Halfway, and Insiza working to restore the road efficiently.
Meawhile, Speacial adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa Paul Tungwarara has said he will engage his principal over the bad state of Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway.
He made the remarks on Thursday last week during the launch of the presidential borehole and housing scheme in Binga district.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway is not just a vital route for domestic travel; it connects tourists to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife habitat and a fundamental source of income for a country heavily reliant on tourism.
As such, the state of roadway infrastructure is crucial for both economic growth and the safety of travelers.