The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu Senior Reporter
CARNAGE on the country’s highways increased during the Independence and Easter holidays with police calling on motorists and passengers to exercise due care when travelling.
So far 21 people have died in road accidents as compared to nine who died during the same period last year, with police recording a total of 143 road traffic accidents as compared to the 112 in 2013.
According to the national police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, Manicaland province had recorded the highest number of accidents so far.
“Manicaland province has the highest number of road traffic accidents following an accident which killed six people who were on their way to a church conference in Hauna in Nyanga on the eve of Independence Day,” he said.
At least 163 people have been injured in all the accidents recorded so far while in 2013 62 were injured during the same period.
Nationwide, 137 vehicles with various defects have been impounded with the police issuing 3 653 tickets during this holiday alone.
Chief Supt Nyathi told the Sunday News that Bulawayo, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South provinces had recorded no deaths so far in the holiday accidents.
In Harare, Mashonaland East and Central two people died in road accidents. In the Midlands three people died with Matabeleland North and Masvingo recording four and one death respectively.
Police have, however, issued a stern warning to people who are operating illegally on the country’s highways.
“We are warning all people who are pirating that they are doing so illegally and will be arrested. We will also impound all vehicles that will be found pirating,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He also said motorists should exercise extreme caution on the roads so as to reduce cases of road carnage. He said motorists should be particularly cautious at road junctions and intersections as that was where most road accidents were occurring.
Motorists have also been warned about speeding as it may lead to serious accidents. The police are also appealing to motorists to give due consideration to pedestrians and other motorists on the roads as a measure to curb road carnage.
The bus accident in Manicaland that claimed six lives with 63 others sustaining severe injuries was caused by the driver of the bus who lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.
The passengers were in a Mwaera bus and were congregants of Freedom in Christ International Church who were on their way to a church conference in Hauna, Nyanga, when the accident happened on Thursday last week.
In the Midlands, two members of the same family died while 21 other passengers were seriously injured when a Toyota Coaster omnibus they were travelling in side-swiped a Bravo bus at the 328 km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway at around 1am.
