Villagers Risk Lives To Scavenge Coal Spilled From Haulage Trucks On Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway

Some villagers along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway, particularly in areas like Gwayi and Chimwale, spend hours by the roadside collecting coal that falls off passing haulage trucks, which they then sell to make ends meet.

Over the years, the highway has developed deep potholes, causing trucks carrying coal from Hwange to destinations such as Harare, Bulawayo and beyond to spill part of their load onto the road.

Many villagers, mostly women, can be seen walking along the roadside with sacks, carefully picking up scattered pieces of coal as heavy trucks thunder past.

Despite the obvious dangers, those who spoke to CITE said they have little choice. One villager, who identified herself only as Manyoni, said:

“This is what feeds our families now. If I spend the whole day here, I can at least sell enough to buy mealie-meal.”

Another villager, Zenzo Nyathi, described the work as exhausting but necessary to get by. He said:

“It’s not easy. You bend the whole day lifting heavy stones of coal while watching out for trucks.

“Sometimes you go home with just half a sack. But even that makes a difference.”

Another villager, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of arrest, said the activity has become highly organised. She said:

“We know the places with big potholes where trucks always spill. We even wake up early to get there before others. It is like a routine now, even though it’s tough.”

Villagers say it can take between four and six hours to fill a standard 50kg sack from roadside pickings, depending on how much coal is available and the level of competition.

The process involves constant bending, lifting and carrying, often under tough conditions right next to a busy and dangerous highway.

The physical toll is considerable, especially for older women, who make up a large number of those doing the work.

In Bulawayo, coal is in high demand among informal traders and households, with small-scale vendors reportedly selling it for around $1 per 5kg.

Truck drivers, however, have mixed views on the situation. One driver, who identified himself as Mhofu, raised concerns about both the losses and the safety risks involved. He said:

“The road is very bad. You try to avoid potholes, but sometimes it is impossible and the load shifts. We are losing coal along the way, which is not good for business.

“But what worries me more is the people walking so close to the trucks. It is very dangerous; one mistake and someone can get hurt.”

More: CITE