Well, it seems our noble intentions of being responsible citizens and lending a hand where the local authorities fall short have been swiftly extinguished.

Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube has stirred up quite a storm among Bulawayo residents with his outrageous decree, commanding them to cease all attempts at repairing the city’s extensively damaged roads without obtaining prior permission, lest they face legal consequences.

Furthermore, the directive demands that residents restore the roads to their previous dilapidated state as if the unauthorized repairs had never taken place.

In a statement, Dube emphasized that it is solely the responsibility of the local authority to address road repairs within their jurisdiction.

Much like in other urban areas across Zimbabwe, the roads in Bulawayo have become a treacherous labyrinth of enormous potholes, posing significant challenges to motorists attempting to navigate them.

Vehicle owners have expressed their frustrations about the constant need to mend their car suspensions due to the ceaseless damage inflicted by these crumbling roadways.

Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube Orders to Unpatch Potholes or Risk Jail Time

“The City of Bulawayo wishes to raise public awareness that under Part II Section 5 of the Roads Act (Chapter 13: 18), planning, design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and management of all roads under its jurisdiction are its responsibility as outlined in section 5(2) of the Act which reads, ‘Every local road authority shall, within the area of its jurisdiction, have power to construct, maintain and rehabilitate every urban or tertiary road or road which is not a regional, primary or secondary road in accordance with road programmes’,” Dube said in a notice.

He made it clear that if anyone wants to finance or undertake road construction, upkeep, or repair, they must obtain the green light from the local authorities.

Dube emphasized that unauthorized road repairers may be instructed to revert the roads to their original condition or potentially be held accountable for criminal offences.

“In accordance with section 53 of the Roads Act, Part IX, if any person does any act which he has not been authorised by the road authority concerned to do, the City may, by notice in writing, direct the person, at his own expense and within such period as shall be specified in the notice, to restore the land to the condition in which it was immediately before the unauthorised act,” he said.

Dube added, “If the person fails to comply with the direction within the period specified, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level four or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or both such fine and such imprisonment.”

The announcement set off a firestorm among certain citizens who believe that the city authorities are already dropping the ball when it comes to fulfilling their duty of repairing the roads.