In Maphisa, the road is more than a stretch of tar. It is a lifeline or at least, it should be. Winding through Matobo District and stretching toward key economic and border points, the Bulawayo–Kezi–Maphisa Road has long stood as a symbol of neglect.
Its surface is scarred by deep potholes, crumbling edges and long, uneven stretches that force drivers into slow, cautious movement. In the dry season, dust clouds swallow vehicles whole. In the rainy season, parts of the road become nearly impassable.
But beyond the inconvenience, the poor state of the road has quietly shaped life in Maphisa in more dangerous ways , enabling crime, increasing accidents and cutting communities off from essential services. For residents, the link between the broken road and rising criminal activity is painfully clear. Maphisa sits close to Zimbabwe’s southern border, making it a strategic transit point.
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Over time, that advantage has been exploited by organised car smuggling syndicates moving vehicles from Botswana into the country. The poor road conditions, instead of acting as a deterrent, have worked in favour of criminals. Police vehicles cannot maintain speed over the damaged terrain.
High-speed chases are almost impossible. Setting up effective roadblocks becomes a logistical challenge in areas where the road narrows, breaks or becomes unpredictable. “They use this road because they understand its weaknesses better than anyone,” says Nkosana Dube, a local taxi driver who has spent years navigating the route.
“When they are being chased, they simply speed off into sections where the road is worse. Police cannot follow at that pace without risking accidents or damaging their vehicles.”
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