Govt launches fencing of Gweru-Bulawayo highway to reduce livestock related accidents

Government yesterday launched the fencing of the 162 kilometre highway between Gweru and Bulawayo in a bid to reduce road accidents being caused by stray livestock.The project which was funded by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe to the tune of $400 000 is expected to be completed by November 30.

Addressing delegates at the launch of the project in Gweru and Bulawayo yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa said,

We are launching the pilot fencing project which stretches from Gweru to Bulawayo at a distance of almost 160km. Many lives have been lost on this road because of stray animals. This is part of our labour based road maintenance and rehabilitation programme and it is now Government policy that all new road projects along major highways will be accompanied by fencing as part of the projects.

Prominent individuals who died recently after hitting stray animals on the highway are national hero Retired Air Commodore Mike Karakadzai who was also the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) general manager and Apostle Charles Chiriseri.

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