Residents of Mashonaland West province — one of Zimbabwe’s key agricultural regions — this week intensified pressure on the Ministry of Transport to urgently address worsening carnage along the Harare–Chirundu Highway, now widely described as a “death trap”.
The strategic route, which links Zimbabwe to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider Southern African Development Community region, has deteriorated sharply after years of neglect.
An online petition launched this week had attracted close to 100 signatures within hours, drawing support from motorists, business leaders and residents demanding urgent rehabilitation of the highway.
While the Harare–Beitbridge section has undergone major upgrades under the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme, petitioners say the northern corridor through Mashonaland West remains one of the region’s worst transport routes.
“The highway remains in a hazardous state,” the petition said.
“Severe rutting, deep potholes, lack of functional road markings and narrow shoulders have led to a catastrophic rise in fatal accidents, vehicle damage and costly transit delays for cargo.”
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The 356km corridor carries an estimated 70% of Zimbabwe’s northbound freight traffic. Haulage operators say delays of up to two days have become common, while tyre and suspension damage has become a routine operating cost.
Police statistics highlight the growing crisis. Nationally, 15 125 road accidents were recorded during the first quarter, up from 12 808 during the same period last year. At least 593 people died between January and March, representing a 21% rise. Along the route, fatal accidents have become frequent, particularly near the farming town of Karoi, and rural Nyamakate, where deep potholes, steep descents and narrow lanes have created dangerous driving conditions.
In April, six people died after a haulage truck collided head-on with a Nissan NV150 near the 214km peg while overtaking on a narrow stretch. In Banket, a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident while walking to work at a nearby farm. She left behind three children.
Transport minister Felix Mhona acknowledged the deteriorating state of the highway.
“The recent rains left large sections of the highway riddled with potholes, posing risks to motorists and slowing the movement of goods.
“It is not only the highway but the border post,” Mhona said.
Government has since released ZiG90 million for emergency repairs aimed at restoring basic drivability before full-scale reconstruction begins. Contractors are currently patching damaged sections around the Makuti area.
Ministry spokesperson Judith Nhau recently admitted the work was only a temporary measure.
Drivers say the repairs often collapse within weeks under the pressure of heavy trucks.
The government plans a US$900 million rehabilitation and dualisation project under a public-private partnership expected to commence in September. The project includes widening sections of the road, upgrading toll plazas and modernising the Chirundu Border Post.
Meanwhile, a US$21 million Japanese grant is funding rehabilitation of the first 6,5km of a 21km stretch between Makuti and Chirundu.
Petitioners say authorities cannot afford further delays.
“The time for urgency has long passed,” the petition said.
“What is required now is decisive action.”