Government Denies Viral ‘Pothole’ Photos, But Public Voices Skepticism
By Farai D Hove | ZimEye | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe — Amid an online uproar over alleged potholes on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has dismissed widely circulated images showing people posing in what appears to be a large pothole. In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry acknowledged that parts of the highway do need urgent rehabilitation but insisted the photos in question do not depict the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
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“It has come to our attention that a social media post is circulating, showing three people posing in a pothole on a road claimed to be part of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway. While we acknowledge that certain sections of the highway require rehabilitation, the images in the post do not match any known part of the highway,”
— Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development
Social Media Erupts with Criticism
The Ministry’s denial has done little to quell public frustration. Users on social media platforms ridiculed what they see as government attempts to downplay or dismiss glaring infrastructure problems:
• “These ones will deny a pothole they are standing on and say it’s an air cushion that just burst under your feet to allow easy flow of blood to your heart—a new type of road designed for health reasons.”
— Posted by one commenter, mocking the official stance.
• “They know it, they won’t do anything. This so-called Second Republic is a monumental failure.”
— Another user lamenting perceived government inaction.
• “Highway to hell!”
— A succinct, grim appraisal of the road conditions.
• “I- Hon Dr Tats Man… you have failed! Nyika inowakwa nema citizens who ain’t docile.”
— A pointed critique suggesting that both citizens and leaders must take responsibility.
Such comments reflect widespread discontent, with many feeling that authorities have not fully acknowledged the gravity of Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure challenges.
Ongoing Road Rehabilitation Efforts
Despite public skepticism, the government maintains that tangible progress is being made. The Ministry confirmed that rehabilitation work on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is already underway in Hwange, Halfway, and Insuza, carried out by the Department of Roads in partnership with Bitumen World.
According to officials, this project is part of broader infrastructural initiatives under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2) and other schemes championed by President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic. These initiatives have reportedly led to:
• 50,000 km of roads rehabilitated since 2021.
• 2,000 structures (bridges, culverts, etc.) repaired or upgraded.
• The Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road set for immediate rebuild under a Public-Private Partnership.
Additionally, the government is negotiating with more potential investors for other key routes, such as the Golden Valley-Sanyati Road, the Murambinda-Birchenough Road, and sections of the Harare-Chirundu Road.
Strengthening Maintenance and Future Plans
Officials also point to recent efforts to resuscitate road maintenance units across the country, including the procurement of new equipment and the proposed establishment of asphalt plants nationwide. These steps aim to provide a consistent monitoring and maintenance framework, ensuring that rehabilitation gains are not lost to neglect.
“We are working diligently to ensure the long-term sustainability of our roads. This infrastructure drive is part of the vision to become an upper-middle-income society by 2030,”
— Ministry’s statement
Public Trust at Stake
While government representatives emphasize their commitment to infrastructural development, public sentiment—evidenced by the fiery social media commentary—remains divided. Many citizens insist that the state of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, along with other critical routes, needs more transparent and immediate attention.
For now, the government has dismissed the viral “pothole photos” as misleading. Yet, as the online chorus of criticism grows louder, authorities face mounting pressure to not only fix the roads but also restore public confidence in the Second Republic’s capacity to deliver on its promises.