Zimbabwe's Roads Crumble Amidst Corruption and Neglect, Costing Lives

Zimbabwe’s once-proud road network has collapsed into a dangerous maze of potholes, with major highways and urban streets alike becoming death traps for motorists. Citizens and civil society groups are blaming the decay on years of corruption and mismanagement under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

Despite millions of dollars being collected annually through road taxes, vehicle licensing levies, and tollgate fees, little of that revenue appears to be making its way into genuine road repairs. Instead, the roads continue to deteriorate, contributing directly to a rising number of fatal accidents across the country.

In cities like Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare, drivers weave dangerously to avoid cavernous potholes that can wreck a car or cause deadly collisions. On major highways, where vehicles travel at high speeds, the situation is even more treacherous. According to traffic safety reports, pothole-related accidents are now among the leading causes of road fatalities in Zimbabwe.

"Every day we lose lives because of this government’s neglect," said a commuter bus driver in Harare. "We pay road taxes. We pay at tollgates. Where is that money going?"

Critics argue that rampant corruption under Mnangagwa's rule has siphoned off funds meant for infrastructure development. While the government frequently announces road rehabilitation programs, citizens report that actual repairs are either shoddy, incomplete, or nonexistent. In many cases, roads are patched superficially only to fall apart again within months.

"The state of our roads is a reflection of the state of our governance," said a political analyst. "It’s not just about potholes — it’s about the collapse of accountability at every level."

With no clear plan to address the crisis and an economy struggling under heavy inflation and low investment, Zimbabweans fear the country’s infrastructure will continue to crumble — taking more lives along with it.