City of Harare throws Chief Traffic Officer under the bus over Bulawayo Road closure for AFCON match

The City of Harare has distanced itself from claims that parts of Samora Machel Avenue will be closed for the Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier between Zimbabwe and the DRC, scheduled for Monday, 28 September 2026 at the National Sports Stadium (NSS).

The City’s Chief Traffic Officer, Chief Superintendent Martin Chimombe, on Wednesday said that motorists travelling from the direction of Bulawayo towards Harare city centre will be diverted on Monday due to an expected surge in traffic around the stadium.

“The National Sport Stadium is being used to host an evening match that requires the closure of Bulawayo road carriageway with motorist plying from Bulawayo into City Centre on September 28, 2026, between 4 PM and 9 PM,” said Chimombe.

However, in a notice issued on Friday, 25 September, Harare Town Clerk Warren Sean Chiwawa said that the claim was false.

“The statement attributed to a senior municipal police officer claimed that parts of Samora Machel will be closed for a certain period before and during the match,” Chiwawa said.

“The City of Harare never resolved to close the busy road as this would only worsen congestion for residents who use the road, especially during busy periods of the day.”

Chiwawa acknowledged that the match is anticipated to attract huge numbers of soccer fans and unusual vehicular traffic in and around the National Sports Stadium.

He said municipal police officers will instead be stationed at all intersections around the NSS along Samora Machel Avenue and Solomon Mujuru Drive, formerly Kirkman Drive, to help maintain the smooth flow of traffic.

Chiwawa advised motorists to use alternative routes where possible and to exercise extreme caution.

“The City sincerely apologises for any inconvenience that this may cause. The City of Harare urges residents to ignore the misleading notice,” said Chiwawa.

Chiwawa stressed that only the Mayor, the Town Clerk and the Corporate Communications Manager are authorised to speak to the media or communicate publicly on Council issues.

Source: City of Harare throws Chief Traffic Officer under the bus over Bulawayo Road closure for AFCON match ⋆ Pindula News

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