Aaron Gono
As the residents of Chaka and Chirumhanzu district were celebrating the completion of humps at Chaka business centre on the 7th of October 2025. Little did they know that, the dance was in “reverse jive.” Motorists became victims of those humps, due to poor signage on the spot.
From the day those humps were completed, two fatalities were recorded at Chaka. One was a passenger in a cross boarder Toyota Quantum ( 7/10/25) and the latest was on 18th of October 2025, when a long haulage failed to negotiate these humps. The driver hit a stationary ZUPCO bus, and he died on the spot.
These fatalities were caused by poor signage on the newly constructed humps. The signs were not very clear. The regulatory warning sign to reduce speed of 80 km/ hr, was just close to the danger warning sign of humps ahead and also very close to the humps. So this poor establishment and erection of this road signs, caused those unnecessary fatalities.
The Beitbridge- Masvingo- Harare R1 highway is our gateway to the middle class economy and must show that we mean business. And days of “feja, feja” are gone.
Masimba Contractors is doing a great job on this road and their competence must not be derailed or tarnished by lack of clear and visible signs in R1. All road signs which were erected in 2021 are all down and need replacement by strong Mtao treated gum poles. Our glass must not be always half full, because of short cuts. We need to show the world that Zimbabwe is capable of moving forward without donor assistance.
