By a Correspondent
The government has accused some mining companies of transporting overloaded trucks under the cover of darkness to evade road inspection checkpoints, prompting the deployment of 24-hour enforcement teams to curb road damage and improve compliance.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona made the remarks in the Senate during a Question and Answer session, where he responded to concerns over the growing impact of overloaded trucks on Zimbabwe’s road network.
Mhona said despite repeated appeals for transporters, particularly those in the mining sector, to comply with legal load limits, some operators had instead altered their travel schedules to avoid detection.
“The Senator has raised a very pertinent question pertaining to the overloads, trucks damaging our roads, which is again an appeal, especially to the mining communities,” Mhona said.
“Instead of complying, some of the mining companies have resorted to travelling during midnight so that they actually avoid our usual checkpoints.”
In response, the ministry has introduced shift systems for Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officers to ensure enforcement teams are stationed on major roads around the clock.
“We have upped our game in the ministry, where we are also going to be having shifts for our VID officers so that we man our roads 24-7,” he said.
Mhona said the move was intended to close enforcement loopholes exploited by transporters and ensure compliance with road regulations.
“However, this is contrary to good practice, where we anticipate and expect transporters to comply with the required quantities whenever they use our roads,” he added.
The minister also outlined a longer-term strategy aimed at reducing the number of heavy mining trucks on the country’s roads by shifting bulk mineral haulage to rail.
“The idea in the long term is we are going to mandate those trucks, especially those mining companies, so that they transport their goods through the railway line,” Mhona said.
He said the government was seeking private sector investment to revive rail freight by expanding rolling stock and upgrading supporting infrastructure.
“In that regard, we are also inviting the private sector to partake in the exercise of making sure that we have the rolling stock on our railway line so that we transport our goods through the railway line,” he said.
According to Mhona, increasing the use of rail transport would reduce pressure on the country’s road network, lower maintenance costs and provide a more sustainable way of moving bulk mineral exports.
“Therefore, we would then lessen the burden from our roads to the railway line,” he said.
The government has intensified efforts in recent years to combat vehicle overloading, which it says is one of the leading causes of premature road deterioration, particularly along key mining and industrial transport corridors. However, enforcement has remained a challenge amid growing mining activity and the continued reliance on road haulage for bulk mineral exports.
