Wenslus Murape
Sixteen people died in four different road traffic accidents that occurred in Harare, Marondera, and Nyanga on Monday and Tuesday, police have said.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged drivers to avoid overtaking in situations that are not safe to do so.
He said the Marondera fatal road traffic accident claimed five people were killed while three others were injured when a Toyota Iris vehicle carrying seven passengers was involved in a head-on collision with a Freightliner truck with no passengers on board.
“Three of the five victims were identified by their next of kin as listed Alice Mavhudzi (46) of Elmswood Park, Marondera, Letty Mandaza (30) Mutamba Street, Dombotombo, Marondera and Tapiwa Mabiza (40) of Sunningdale 3, Harare,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
“The other two victims are yet to be identified by their next of kin, the bodies of the victims were taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital mortuary for post mortem while the injured were admitted at the same hospital.”
Commissioner Nyathi said the Harare fatal road traffic accident killed three people while 32 others were injured when a Toyota Hiace kombi carrying 15 passengers side-swiped with a Mazda Bongo Van with four passengers on board.
“Two bodies of the victims were taken to Chitungwiza Hospital while the body of the third victim is at Sally Mugabe Hospital for post-mortem,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi added that the Nyanga-Rwenya Road accident claimed five people while 60 others were injured when a Hino Dutro Truck carrying 64 church congregates veered off the road.
“Some passengers were thrown out of the truck and some were dragged for approximately 30 metres,” he said.
“The accident occurred while the truck was descending a steep slope with a sharp curve.”
Meanwhile, in another fatal road traffic accident, a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 12 passengers overturned resulting in the death of three passengers and injury to five others and the driver.
“The vehicle failed to ascend a steep hill and rolled backwards before overturning several times and landing on its wheels.,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
He added: “Church leaders are once again reminded to put in place appropriate means to carry congregates to curb road traffic accidents whenever they are having large gatherings.”
“Above all, vehicles, whether public or privately owned, should be regularly serviced, checked, and certified fit to be on the roads.”
Online Reporter