Flyover Collapse Fears: Harare Residents Sue Government
Residents of Harare have launched a lawsuit against the government over the deteriorating state of three major flyovers in the city, which they claim are at risk of collapse. Represented by the Harare Residents Trust (HRT) and supported by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the residents want the High Court to compel Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona to take immediate action to fix the flyovers.
The residents argue that the government’s failure to maintain these vital structures endangers lives and violates constitutional rights.
The structures at the heart of the controversy are located along Simon Mazorodze Road, Lytton Road, and Fidel Castro Road (old Charter Road).
According to engineers and court documents, these flyovers have suffered severe structural damage, yet authorities have ignored repeated warnings over the years.
Flyovers Declared Unsafe in 2012
The flyovers located on Simon Mazorodze Road, Lytton Road, and Fidel Castro Road were first flagged as hazardous over a decade ago.
A 2012 report jointly compiled by officials from the Ministry of Transport and the City of Harare identified numerous structural defects. These included:
- Severe corrosion of reinforcement steel.
- Spalling of concrete on the bottom flanges of beams.
- Visible cracks along the deck’s centreline.
- Severely damaged expansion joints.
- Poor drainage and water leaks at expansion joints.
- Excessive vibrations in the superstructure.
Despite these alarming findings, little has been done to address the issues. HRT highlighted the urgency of the matter in their court filings, stating:
“These defects are not minor; they are structural weaknesses that put lives at risk. The risk of collapse grows daily as the flyovers deteriorate further.”
Engineers’ Alarming Findings Ignored
The Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE) has been sounding the alarm about the state of Harare’s flyovers for years. In 2006, engineers from the City of Harare (CoH), alongside consultants, conducted detailed inspections of the three flyovers.
The engineers proposed detailed intervention strategies to repair the flyovers. However, these recommendations were largely ignored, according to ZIE president Bernard Musarurwa.
In 2019, ZIE wrote to the Office of the President and Cabinet, as well as Parliament, demanding action to avert a disaster.
“We do not want a situation where you will say this issue was never raised,” Musarurwa wrote in the letter. “The government has ignored infrastructure investment for years, and now the existing infrastructure is crumbling.”
Residents Demand Accountability
The current lawsuit accuses the government of negligence and failing to act on warnings from engineers. Residents say they have waited long enough for repairs, with some defects dating back almost two decades.
Loreen Mupesa, a regular user of the affected roads, expressed her frustrations:
“We’ve been living with these dangers for years. Driving on these flyovers feels like gambling with your life.”
HRT and ZLHR argue that neglecting the flyovers violates Section 73(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to a safe and healthy environment.
The residents want the court to compel the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Felix Mhona, to initiate urgent repairs within 90 days.
Timeline of Neglect of Harare Fyovers
- 2006: Initial inspections reveal severe structural defects.
- 2012: A joint report by the Ministry of Transport and the City of Harare confirms that the flyovers are unsafe and require urgent attention.
- 2019: ZIE escalates the issue to the Office of the President and Parliament, warning of imminent collapse.
- 2021: The Ministry of Transport acknowledges the defects but takes no action.
- 2024: Residents file a lawsuit demanding urgent intervention.
Legal and Social Implications
Legal experts say the case could set a significant precedent for holding the government accountable for infrastructure maintenance.
Tonderai Bhatasara, representing the residents, stated:
“This lawsuit is not just about these flyovers. It’s about forcing the government to prioritise infrastructure safety and public welfare.”
A City on Edge
For Harare residents, the danger is immediate and personal. As motorists continue to use these flyovers daily, many do so with a growing sense of fear.
“It’s not just about fixing the flyovers. It’s about restoring trust in our public institutions,” said Mupesa.
Justice Katiyo is expected to deliver a ruling soon.
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The post Harare Residents Sue Government Over Dangerous Flyovers at Risk of Collapse appeared first on iHarare News.
