By A Correspondent| Local construction company that was contracted to rehabilitate Chimanimani roads following the devastating Cyclone Idai has been forced to respond to criticism of poor workmanship which saw part of the newly opened road giving in and collapsing, resulting in an accident that claimed one life.

Chimanimani residents have for long accused the company of doing a shoddy job and they felt vindicated when the road collapsed following incessant rains that hit the country since December last year.

One of the residents Lovex Itai Kimbini also alleged that Masimba construction workers were selling cement and diesel meant for the road to villagers in the process doing a disservice to the road project.

Now Masimba has responded to social media claims saying the collapsing of the road was not their fault but a small river that changed its course upstream after an existing culvert was blocked by debris.

“The Chimanimani area has been experiencing heavy rains since the beginning of the rainy season. In the early hours of 30 January 2021, a small river changed its course upstream after
an existing culvert was blocked by debris. This resulted in water undermining the road just before the culvert, causing a section of the Wengezi Chimanimani road to collapse at the 69km peg. A ditch that is an estimated 3m deep and 3m wide, and impassable to traffic, was created.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the collapse may also have been aggravated by an underground stream.
It is with sadness that we also inform you that a motorist travelling in the early hours of the morning of 30 January 2021, unaware of the state of the road, drove into the ditch and regrettably passed away. Our condolences go out to the family.

“Masimba Holdings Limited carried out extensive rehabilitation works on the Skyline Chimanimani road following damages caused by Cyclone Idai in 2019. The scope of the contracted works on the affected section was confined to resealing,” the company said.

They promised to open a detour for temporary use while they re-work on the collapsed section.

Masimba is one of the five companies awarded tenders for the Harare-Beitbridge Road project which is currently underway.