The state of road infrastructure across the Matabeleland region is a stark indictment of decades of neglect.
From crumbling tar to impassable potholes, the highways that should be arteries of economic life have instead become symbols of abandonment.
For communities in Matabeleland North and South, dilapidated roads are not merely an inconvenience — they are daily barriers to trade, healthcare access, tourism growth and social mobility.
Motorists along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road continue to navigate dangerous stretches that compromise both safety and investment prospects in one of Zimbabwe’s prime tourism corridors.
The Beitbridge–Gwanda Road, a crucial link to the region’s busiest border post, has for years oscillated between promises and patchwork interventions.
Similarly, the Kwekwe–Nkayi–Bulawayo Road, Bulawayo–Tsholotsho Road, Kezi–Bulawayo Road and Maphisa–Gwanda Road tell a common story: stalled projects, missed deadlines and prolonged inconvenience.
Admittedly, there have been visible efforts in recent years to rehabilitate some of these routes.
Earth-moving equipment can be seen on certain sections, and contractors are intermittently on site.
Yet the pace of progress has been painfully slow — almost snail-like. In some instances, road projects have dragged on for decades.
It is deeply troubling that certain highways have effectively been under “construction” since independence in 1980, with little meaningful transformation to show for it.
This lethargic approach undermines confidence in public infrastructure management and perpetuates regional inequality.
Matabeleland is rich in tourism potential, livestock production and cross-border trade opportunities.
However, without reliable road networks, these economic prospects remain stunted.
Infrastructure development must not be seasonal or politically convenient. It requires sustained commitment, transparent funding mechanisms and strict adherence to timelines.
The people of Matabeleland deserve roads that reflect their contribution to the national economy — not perpetual construction zones that echo decades of broken promises.