Baldwin Chidzikwe
Correspondent
OVER the years, road traffic accidents, involving mainly haulage trucks, have repeatedly occurred at the roundabout where Robert Mugabe Way and Kumbirai Kangai (formerly Aerodrome) Road intersect on the periphery of Mutare’s city centre.
Most of these accidents have happened as a result of the vehicles developing brake failure while descending the steep Christmas Pass slopes, which stretch for about eight kilometres.
While some vehicles have landed on their sides at the roundabout, others have rammed into the nearby residential property belonging to the Midzi family.
In one incident that happened some years ago, a haulage truck driver lost his life after battling to control the heavy vehicle before it found its way into the city, and eventually landed on its side near a busy traffic lights-controlled intersection.
Unsurprisingly, this has come to cause anxiety and panic among many people in the eastern border city as they continue living in apprehension that on a bad day the worse could happen.
Recently, a haulage truck headed for Mozambique lost its brakes while going down the Christmas Pass slopes and rammed into the Midzi family house.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident. However, the house was damaged.
Property was also destroyed, while other valuables and food were lost.
Although no major catastrophe has been recorded, the latest incident serves as a stark reminder for the need to urgently address the matter to find an effective and long-lasting solution.
Continuing to stay at their family residence has become a living hell for the bewildered Midzi family whose house continue being rammed when these accidents happen.
According to the family, this is the 18th such accident to happen at their property since 2007.
The family continues to suffer losses each time their house gets crashed into.
In the latest incident, three rooms including the main bedroom, spare bedroom and kitchen were extensively damaged.
After narrowly escaping danger, Ms Melania Midzi who was asleep when the latest accident happened last week narrated the harrowing experience, and was quoted as saying: “I am still traumatised and shocked . . . considering the trauma of the 17 previous accidents. We have written to them (Mutare City Council) on many occasions, and it seems they want to act when someone has died first. You can imagine the trauma we have been enduring since 2007 when the first accident occurred. This is the 18th accident, and its trauma after trauma.”
They have had to repair their house each time a vehicle rams into it after an accident occurs.
Faced with that traumatic experience, the Midzi family says their relocation is the safer option, than continuing to reside at the house, while hoping and praying that tragedy does not strike.
As such, the frequency of the accidents has become a major cause for huge concern, not only for this family, but other residents, motorists and pedestrians in the city as well as owners of properties along the dangerous stretch.
Without sounding alarmist, there is grave danger of tragedy happening along the entire length of the stretch.
How long is it going to take for the accidents to continue happening before decisive and effective measures are put in place?
What does it take to have the desired action taken?
Lives can needlessly be lost if nothing is immediately done.
The worst possible could happen as there are pirate taxis and buses that pick up passengers at the undesignated point at the foot of the Christmas Pass slopes and near Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, while on another day the roundabout can be busy and there will be danger of a vehicle pileup if an accident occurs.
Therefore, this calls for collective efforts in tackling the matter that continues to cause serious headaches to many.
Drivers need to exercise extreme caution at all times while driving along the Christmas Pass stretch.
Visible and clearly marked road traffic signs must be erected by the roadside on strategic points along the stretch, warning and reminding motorists of the road’s terrain as well as the need to subsequently take due care, drive slowly and engage heavy gears.
Barricades like guardrails and arrester beds also need to be put in place to prevent runaway trucks, and vehicles from crashing into other automobiles and adjacent properties along the way.
It is also imperative to have an alternative route, the Christmas Pass Bypass road, constructed.
When put in place, this will help reduce the frequent occurrence of the accidents as heavy vehicles will use that motorway other than the Christmas Pass.
The authorities have acknowledged the need for this move, with Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, saying: “We can assure that Government is working tirelessly to bring to an end such sad experiences. This is the main reason why we have lobbied for the construction of the Christmas Pass Bypass Road, which I am aware is commencing shortly. The programme is on course as it is connected to the Forbes Border Post expansion project.”
Decisive and effective action needs to be taken to prevent the ever present danger of accidents happening at the city roundabout.
A stitch in time saves nine, and prevention is always better than cure.
Baldwin Chidzikwe is a Hospital Food Services Supervisor stationed at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, qualified counsellor, development practitioner, caterer, events director and entrepreneur. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on: 0773001569 / 0715187319; email: [email protected].
