Itai Mazire
Glen View South legislator Cde Tsitsi Tahwomera has assured residents that the road rehabilitation programme she initiated during last year’s election campaign will resume soon after the end of the rainy season, following the widespread deterioration of several key roads in the constituency.
Cde Tahwomera said the suspension of works was necessary due to the onset of the rainy season, which makes road construction and resurfacing ineffective, as freshly graded or compacted surfaces are easily washed away by heavy rains.
Her assurance comes amid growing concern from residents after some roads that had been graded earlier deteriorated rapidly following persistent rains, particularly busy Glen View Way and 3rd Street in Glen View 1, which serve as major traffic arteries linking residential areas to shopping centres, schools, clinics, and public transport routes.
Glen View, in particular, carries heavy daily traffic, including commuter omnibuses, delivery vehicles, and pedestrians, and has developed deep potholes, waterlogged sections, and eroded shoulders, making the roads difficult to use during and after rainfall.
The deteriorating state of the roads has disrupted daily life in the constituency, with motorists reporting increased vehicle damage, longer travel times, and higher transport costs, while pedestrians have been forced to walk long distances to avoid flooded or muddy sections.
Some commuter omnibuses have reportedly reduced services or diverted routes, affecting workers, schoolchildren, and traders.
In an interview, Cde Tahwomera acknowledged the challenges but said the setbacks were seasonal and temporary.
“The road development programme we started during the campaign has not been abandoned. It will resume soon after the rainy season because road works done during heavy rains do not last and end up wasting resources,” she said.
“The rains have unfortunately affected some of the roads that were graded earlier, especially key roads like Glen View Way and 3rd Street, which carry a lot of traffic. These roads are important arteries for the community, and we are prioritising them once conditions are suitable.”
She said the programme had already brought tangible benefits before the rains began, with several internal roads being graded and improved, easing movement within neighbourhoods and improving access to public transport and essential services.
“Before the rains, we managed to rehabilitate a number of roads, and residents can testify that movement improved significantly. Transport operators were able to reach areas they previously avoided, and people saved time and money,” she said.
Cde Tahwomera won the Glen View South seat in a traditionally opposition-dominated constituency after campaigning on a development-focused platform, with road rehabilitation emerging as a central issue due to years of neglect that had left many roads severely dilapidated.
During her campaign, she pledged to work with Government, local authorities, and other stakeholders to address infrastructure backlogs, arguing that poor roads were undermining economic activity, service delivery, and the quality of life for residents.
She said her commitment to road development remained firm.
“I understand the frustration of residents because roads affect everything — transport, businesses, schools, and even emergency services. We are committed to delivering on our promise, and residents will see meaningful improvements once the rains subside,” she said.
