Illegal Plumtree rail crossing sparks safety warning from NRZ
by ZODWA MLOTSHWA
PLUMTREE – THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has sharply criticised the Plumtree Town Council for allegedly constructing an unauthorised level crossing along the strategic Plumtree–Francistown rail corridor, warning that the move endangers both rail operations and public safety.
In a statement issued this week, the state-owned rail operator said the makeshift crossing—reportedly installed by council workers—was erected without any form of consultation with NRZ’s technical departments.
As a result, the railway line has become vulnerable to water logging and potential track instability, posing significant risks to train movement on the busy route linking Zimbabwe with Botswana.
“The NRZ advises the public against erecting level crossings on tracks on their own,” the parastatal cautioned.
“It is illegal for individuals or companies to put up level crossings on their own as this can damage rail infrastructure.”
The organisation urged any institution or community requiring a legitimate access point to engage its Infrastructure Branch for proper assessment and engineering approval.
Plumtree, a border town located about 100 kilometres southwest of Bulawayo, sits on one of Zimbabwe’s most important western rail corridors.
The Plumtree–Francistown line connects directly to Botswana Railways and facilitates access to South African ports such as Durban and Cape Town, forming a critical conduit for freight movement in the landlocked nation.
NRZ, which operates roughly 4,225 kilometres of track across Zimbabwe, also serves as a major regional transit hub linking the country with Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa.
Any disruption on such corridors, the company noted, carries economic implications beyond local boundaries.
Safety experts consistently warn that unauthorised level crossings pose severe hazards.
Poorly engineered crossings can lead to track misalignment, ballast wash-away, and reduced braking distances for trains—factors that have historically contributed to collisions and derailments across southern Africa.
The risks are heightened because trains cannot swerve to avoid obstacles and require long stopping distances, making unregulated access points particularly dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.
NRZ reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with communities to establish legal, professionally designed crossings.
“The NRZ is always ready to assist communities in the setting up of proper and legal level crossings if approached,” the organisation said.
Railway safety continues to be a regional priority, with the Southern African Railway Association dedicating October to Railway Safety Week to raise awareness about preventing accidents at level crossings.
