By Tapiwa Svondo/ James Muonwa
A SUDDEN increase in deadly road traffic accidents has raised worry among stakeholders as it comes ahead of the festive season usually associated with serious carnage.
This week alone, three reported bloody crashes claimed the lives of at least 10 people, thereby raising concerns about road safety in Zimbabwe.
On Thursday, seven people died in a collision involving a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus and a fuel tanker at Kuwadzana 7 turnoff, along Bulawayo road.
A day later, on Friday, at approximately 13:45 hours, a Gold Class bus travelling from Harare to Rusape, carrying 53 students and seven staff members from Chipinge Junior Primary School, lost control while attempting to overtake a haulage truck.
The accident resulted in the death of one female adult at the scene, while 25 students and six adults sustained injuries.
“On approaching the 165 km peg along Harare-Mutare road, the driver tried to overtake a haulage truck, due to speeding, he lost control of the bus. The bus veered off the road to the right side, overturned and landed on its left side facing the northern direction.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has established that one female adult died on the spot. 25 students and six adults were injured. They have been taken to Rusape General Hospital for treatment,” national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
Earlier in a separate incident that occurred on Thursday at around 17:00 hours a Nissan UD lorry that was carrying beer lost brakes while trying to park at the Sakubva Bus Terminus in Mutare resulting in it ramming into vendors and parked vehicles within the busy bus port.
Police said the accident claimed two individuals at the scene while four others were injured.
“Investigations by the police have established that the driver intended to deliver beer at a bottle store near Sakubva Bus Terminus when he tried to park the vehicle. The vehicle lost brakes, locked the steering wheel and gathered momentum into the bus terminus where it rammed onto the boom gate.
“Resultantly, six vendors were hit by the lorry while three vehicles were rammed onto. Two people died on the spot while four others were injured.
“The bodies of the two victims were ferried to Victoria Chitepo Hospital mortuary for post mortem while the injured were admitted at the same hospital,” said Nyathi.
Police urged vehicle owners to service their cars and have them certified for roadworthiness.
“The ZRP urges vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles are regularly serviced and certified fit to travel on the country’s roads.
“On the other hand, drivers are implored to exercise caution, avoid speeding and overtaking in situations which are clearly not safe to do so,” he said.
Meanwhile, ZRP has identified the seven individuals who tragically lost their lives in a crash that occurred along the Harare-Bulawayo road.
The overturned commuter omnibus after it was hit by a haulage truck
The victims are all residents of Kuwadzana 5 in Harare.
“The victims were identified by their next of kin as listed: Susan Fly (37), a female adult of Kuwadzana 5, Harare; Taonezvi Makumbe (54), a male adult of Kuwadzana 5, Harare; Benson Musimi (36), a male adult of Kuwadzana 5, Harare.
“Romeo Mahefu (20), a male adult of Kuwadzana 5, Harare; Egnes Maenzanise (48), a female adult of Kuwadzana 5, Harare; Neli Gwezera (27), a male adult of Kuwadzana 5, Harare; Aleck Dambaza (37), a male adult of Kuwadzana 5, Harare,” said Nyathi.
In response to the tragedy, ZRP has called on all motorists to exercise caution and avoid such tragedies in the future.
“The ZRP implores public service vehicle operators to observe all road rules and regulations when travelling on the country’s roads in order to safeguard lives.
“Above all, motorists are urged to exercise caution and practice good driving conduct to promote road safety,” said Nyathi.
The killer commuter omnibus driver has since been charged with culpable homicide.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona described the driver as “reckless.”
“Whilst the traffic lights at the intersection were working, it is concerning to note that the driver of the commuter omnibus proceeded when he was supposed to stop.
“This was reckless and thus a blatant violation of our road traffic rules and regulations. Consequently, the driver is being charged with culpable homicide,” Mhona said.
He said the Kuwadzana crash was an opportunity for stakeholders to introspect and ensure there is an improvement in road safety in the country.
“The accident is yet another call to all transport operators, motorists and members of the public to adhere to road traffic rules and to exercise caution on the road.
“I wish to remind all transport operators, motorists and members of the public that the ministry will take stern measures to preserve the safety and security of the commuting public,” added the Transport minister.
“Let us take this opportunity to assure the nation that the Second Republic is committed to formulating robust legal, policy and administrative mechanisms to improve the country’s Road Safety Performance,” Mhona said.
Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) president, Tafadzwa Goliath implored motorists to be diligent and sticklers of road signage and traffic lights signals.
“We continue to lose lives needlessly on our roads and as PAZ this is very concerning to us. Motorists must at all times observe the sanctity of human lives, the passengers, they carry and stick to road rules and regulations. Drivers must adhere to signage and robots,” Goliath told NewZimbabwe.com.
Meanwhile, PAZ has noted malfunctioning robots at the newly rehabilitated road leading to Warren Park, adjacent the Museum of African Liberation.
“For some days now, the robots are not functioning thereby posing a danger to motorists and passengers at the busy intersection along the Harare- Bulawayo road.
“Motorists are facing challenges to navigate the intersection where there is no presence of traffic police to help them pass through to their respective destinations.
“The malfunctioning robots have caused chaos that does not resonate with the recently rehabilitated road. We call for interventions for necessary road infrastructure to be installed to help save lives,” Goliath said.
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