Govt probes Beatrice black spot

Zim Now Writer

Government is investigating a three-kilometre stretch in Beatrice that has become a black spot along the Harare-Masvingo highway, which has witnessed 11 accidents, some of which were fatal, since October last year.

The three-kilometre stretch has become a high accident zone, with Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary, Engineer Theodius Chinyanga visiting Beatrice on a fact-finding mission yesterday.

“The reason for my visit is to assess the cause of accidents happening at this section. Since October 2022, 11 accidents have been witnessed in this section and most of these are fatal and involve public vehicles. One of the major causes is speeding. The second cause is the slippery road, especially during this rainy season. Most of the drivers we have interviewed have cited the section as slippery,” he said.

Engineer Chinyanga said speed calming devices, such as rumble strips will be the interim measure while laboratory tests of the surface are performed to come up with a lasting solution.

“Our immediate action will be putting speed signs for drivers to reduce speed. From 120 to 80 and to 60kms.The other intervention is speed calming devices. Our engineers and the roads laboratory will undertake some tests of the surface to see what will be causing the surface to be slippery. The contractor will now be preparing the detour in case we need to rip the surface. The reason why the surface can be slippery is because of bleeding, meaning there might be too much bitumen on the asphalt. So, we will get the results from the lab test,” Eng Chinyanga said.