Motorists have raised increasing concerns over the worsening condition of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, which has become more difficult to navigate in recent years.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona recently informed parliament that the government plans to repair and expand the entire stretch of the road linking Bulawayo to Victoria Falls.
While Mhona did not provide a specific timeline, he mentioned that the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is part of several key roads across the country set for rehabilitation.
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has criticized the government for the highway’s poor state, attributing it to neglect and claiming that toll fees collected from motorists are often misused. Chin’ono emphasized the importance of the road, given that Victoria Falls is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southern Africa.
He expressed his frustration, stating: “Despite having one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions in Victoria Falls, the government has failed to maintain the road leading there due to the misappropriation of public funds. The state of the road is appalling, as though it has been bombed, yet this neglect is the result of systemic corruption.”
Chin’ono went on to criticize the government for not maintaining infrastructure that could boost the economy and benefit both locals and tourists. He lamented that despite Zimbabwe’s natural wealth, the failure to properly maintain critical infrastructure reflects badly on the leadership.
Victoria Falls, ranked as the second most popular tourist attraction in Africa, currently has a road leading to it that is in a state of disrepair, contributing to negative perceptions of the country.
Chin’ono concluded, expressing disappointment in the government’s lack of accountability, calling it an example of how corruption hampers the nation’s potential.
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