By Clive Tawanda Munyaradzi
The bustling Musiiwa Business Centre is a vital hub for the Chief Musana community and surrounding areas like Chief Chikwaka communal area, offering everything from groceries to clothing to a chance for a social catch-up. However, this cherished space is being threatened by a serious problem: speeding vehicles.
The lack of speed humps on the Harare-Shamva highway creates a dangerous situation, particularly for vendors who do their business at the centre along the highway, pedestrians, cyclists, and school children. Cars frequently exceed the speed limit, putting lives at risk and creating an atmosphere of anxiety and fear.
The consequences of this disregard for safety include ,increased risk of accidents as speeding vehicles are more likely to be involved in accidents, resulting in injuries and even fatalities. Walking along and across the road has become a stressful and dangerous experience, particularly for the elderly and school children.
A grade four pupil at Chindotwe primary was hit to death by a speeding motorist along this road this year. Residents who carry out vending activities are also at danger as they endure difficult times daily under such threat
The need for speed humps is clear and urgent. They provide a simple, cost-effective solution to address the problem of speeding and create a safer environment for everyone.
Speed humps act as a physical reminder to drivers to reduce their speed. They also reduce accident frequency and severity.The implementation of speed humps will slower traffic so that pedestrians can cross the road more safely and feel less threatened.
Serious accidents have occurred in recent times at the shopping center resultings in fatalities and serious injuries. Early this year a 62 year old man lost his life after being struck by a speeding car while walking on the roadside.
The state of the road has also deteriorated near Frascat farm, some 48km from Harare.Several other accidents have occurred there and several people have been injured with some losing their lives. The place have become a death trap especially to motorist using the road for the first time. Residents are appealing to the responsible ministry to heed their call and save lives by implementing speed humps before it’s to late. A similar problem was also haunting Bhora residents at Juru Goromonzi along Harare- Mutoko highway sometime ago but it has since been sorted out, some speed humps were installed.
One of Musiiwa’s leading business entrepreneur Mairos Shonhiwa of Madyira enterprises expressed concern over the issue, urging the local leadership to engage responsible ministry departments to address the people’s plight. He suggested a total of four speed humps along the highway near the business center ” People ‘s lives are in danger because of over speeding. Leaders should act. I suggest they put speed humps before and after that shopping centre, another one at Musawu near Frascat bridge and another before Mumurwi bridge”, said Shonhiwa.
Child Aid Bindura Shamva project Manager George Mandava echoed the same sentiments and urged the councillor of the area to join hands with other leaders to approach the responsible authorities. He lamented the loss of several Lives in speeding accidents.
“The councilor should engage the others leaders and take their issue to the ministry. This area needs speed humps. People are losing lives. The only way to end this is by implementing speed humps”, suggested Mandava.
“There is an urgent need for road rehabilitation at Frascart, Mumurwi bridge and Shamva gold mine near the bridge. The road needs to be rehabilitated for the safety of motorists so that we mitigate risks of accidents ,we need to promote safer travel resonating national agenda.” Mr Mandundu, resident at Musiiwa Business Centre noted.
It is time for the relevant authorities to prioritize safety and implement speed humps at Musiiwa Business Centre. The benefits are undeniable, and the cost of inaction could be devastating. Let’s work together to create a safer and more enjoyable environment for all.
New Ziana
