PAZ Sounds Alarm on Deteriorating Infrastructure

By Loyd Matare
The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of roads in high-density suburbs and rural areas, citing far-reaching consequences for daily life, economic productivity, and access to essential services.
This comes as the country has been struggling to revamp its economy including roads in some parts of the rural parts – the need for reliable and efficient transportation infrastructure cannot be overstated.
“The poor state of roads has a significant impact on daily life, affecting people’s ability to commute to work and school, access basic services like healthcare and education, conduct business, and access markets for agricultural produce,” said Tafadzwa Goliati, president of PAZ.
Goliati highlighted areas such as Darwin, Dotito, Kaitano, Gokwe Chitekete, and parts of Matebeleland as having some of the worst road conditions, with many roads being impassable.
This has resulted in reduced economic productivity, increased transportation costs, limited access to essential services, and a negative impact on health and education outcomes.
PAZ is urging the relevant authorities to take immediate action to address this critical issue.
“We urge the government to prioritize road maintenance and rehabilitation, invest in new road infrastructure development, implement effective traffic management systems, and enhance public transportation services,” Goliati emphasized.
The call to action comes as a tragic accident on Simon Mazorodze Road has left multiple passengers seriously injured.
The kombi driver lost control of the vehicle, colliding with the bridge barricade.
Emergency services responded promptly, transporting the injured victims to Sally Mugabe Hospital for medical attention.
He added that,” as PAZ, we are committed to advocating for road safety and supporting affected communities.
“We urge all drivers to exercise caution and adhere to road safety regulations to prevent such incidents,” Goliati added.
PAZ’s plea for urgent action serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of neglecting the country’s rural roads.