Zim GBC News | Harare Correspondent<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HARARE, Zimbabwe \u2013 The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has launched a nationwide campaign urging citizens to report potholes via dedicated provincial hotlines, framing it as a collaborative effort to address the country\u2019s severe road infrastructure crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initiative, rolled out on January 19, 2026, asks the public to send clear photos, videos, and exact locations of road defects to designated engineers in all ten provinces to enable what the ministry calls “swift action.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement, the Ministry positioned the move as a partnership with citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour vigilance is invaluable. Prompt reports enable faster response, efficient resource allocation and prevent minor issues from becoming hazards,\u201d it said, adding that the program aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa\u2019s mantra of \u201cleaving no one and no place behind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public Skepticism Meets Cautious Hope<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The appeal comes amid widespread frustration over the deteriorating state of urban and rural roads, which have become notorious for damaging vehicles, disrupting commerce, and posing serious safety risks. Public reaction has been sharply divided, reflecting a deep-seated skepticism toward government promises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKushaya zvekuita uku. Ko Byo\u2013Vic Falls Road ine mapotholes here kana kuti hapachisina road? How do we report it since they want to concentrate on potholes?\u201d commented one resident in a WhatsApp group, highlighting the absurdity of reporting roads that have effectively ceased to exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another, referencing the Tsholotsho\u2013Nyamandlovu Road, added:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHaaa, is there any need to report potholes paroad yagara yakatofa hayo? Hakuchina road.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, a sliver of cautious optimism exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill test it out tomorrow morning,\u201d said one resident, while another noted,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow that the central government realises the involvement of ordinary citizens is vital, I hope our cities will do likewise. We are tired of numerous excuses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Analysts Point to Systemic Failures, Demand Accountability<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Analysts and citizens alike argue that the crisis stems from systemic issues\u2014chronic underfunding, delayed maintenance, and weak accountability\u2014that a hotline cannot fix alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf they are sincere that they will act quickly, we shall see, because sincerity is measured by outcomes, not statements,\u201d said political analyst Farai Pfachi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy view comes against the backdrop of past pledges, including toll revenues and rehabilitation programmes whose impact has yet to be fully realised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Msebele emphasized that for the initiative to be credible, it must be backed by guaranteed funding, published repair schedules, and clear public feedback mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWithout these, it risks becoming symbolic rather than operational,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another analyst, Iphithule Mpahosa, pointed to governance failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe statement directs reports to provincial engineers\u2026 but it does not clarify coordination with cash-strapped local authorities. The public needs to know who fixes what, and by when.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A History of Distrust<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public trust has been eroded by previous incidents. Many cite the Ministry’s\u2019s initial dismissal last year of a viral image showing three people sitting in a massive pothole on the Bulawayo\u2013Victoria Falls highway as \u201cfake,\u201d only to later scramble contractors for repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow many times have we reported? People post on social media, tell councillors, even comment directly to officials online, but the potholes remain,\u201d said motorist Patrick Ndlovu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe always hear there is no money. Now how will these hotlines change anything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For drivers like Paul Choruma, the problem is one of long-term neglect, not just seasonal rains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe roads are terrible\u2026 Yes, it\u2019s raining now, but potholes have always been there, even during dry months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the Ministry promotes its new hotlines, the court of public opinion will judge it on one criterion: visible, sustained, and quality repairs on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until then, for many Zimbabweans, the announcement feels less like a solution and more like a shifting of the state\u2019s burden onto the shoulders of an already burdened public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective\u00a92026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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