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Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter

The Denda and Shumba communities in Domboshava, Goromonzi, are appealing to Government to tar roads in the area as their bad state is negatively impacting on peoples’ livelihoods.

They appreciated the recent grading and widening of a feeder road from Gava Village to Nyaure Clinic, but said more benefits will accrue if the major roads such as Denda-Nyava and Sasa were tarred.

Development of roads would lessen the burden they face in transporting agricultural produce to the markets, while those involved in retailing would recover some consumers who are now shunning the area due to bad roads.

The few transport operators plying the Denda-Nyava route reportedly charge exorbitant fares to compensate for faults that may develop on vehicles because of the bad roads.

People from Denda and Shumba told The Herald they were being charged $25 from Harare, which most of them cannot afford.

Goromonzi West National Assembly representative Cde Energy Mutodi expressed concern over the poor state of the roads.

He said he was consulting responsible authorities on the progress of the rehabilitation of the roads.

“It is surprising that no action is being taken to tar the road. We are making a follow up on the road,” said Cde Mutodi.

“When the President (Cde Mnangagwa) came for the clean-up, people raised their concerns.

“I agree with the community. The area used to be a hive of activity and also links the ward with the rest of the constituency.

“ It is in this area that much of the agricultural activity is carried out.

“The community is losing business due to the bad roads and the community is disgruntled. I understand their concern.”

Mr Lemmy Mashingaidze from Shumba said most motorists were unwilling to use the road due to its poor state, resulting in the few operators charging exorbitant fares.

Other residents have resorted to using the Borrowdale Road to get to Denda, which is longer and expensive.

“Our area is near Harare, but we struggle to travel,” he said.

Another Denda resident, Mr Norman Chiweshe said the place used to be a hive of business activity, but all that was now in the past.

“The area has now changed. We used to have revellers from Harare. Some coming to buy agricultural produce, but this is no longer the case.

“This has negatively impacted on the livelihoods of many people who relied on selling their agricultural produce.

“Now we have to travel to Mbare to sell our produce and the transport costs are high,” he said.

Mr Maxwell Chidhobhera said many people were not willing to invest in the area due to the bad roads.

“We used to see between 15 and 20 commuter omnibuses plying this route on a daily basis, but now we see between four and five.

“People now prefer to come through Showgrounds.

“If the road is rehabilitated and tarred, many people will be willing to invest in the area and the livelihoods of the people in this area will greatly improve,” he said.

Ms Theresa Ngwerume said the area was no longer as lively as it used to be and business had declined.