Online Reporter
Africa Moyo
Deputy National Editor
Sixteen traffic surveillance camera sites in Harare are now operational, with authorities already detecting numerous traffic violations by motorists, TelOne chief executive officer Engineer Lawrence Nkala has said.
The surveillance cameras are part of phase one of the national smart traffic management and surveillance programme being implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, with TelOne serving as the technical partner.
The development comes as the country grapples with a growing number of road traffic accidents, many of them linked to reckless driving, failure to obey road signs and disregard for traffic regulations.
A few weeks ago, nearly 50 people perished in about eight road accidents across the country.
Authorities believe the deployment of smart surveillance technology will play a critical role in promoting safer roads through enhanced monitoring and enforcement.
Speaking on progress made under the project at TelOne’s 12th annual general meeting in Harare last Friday, Eng Nkala said the installation of surveillance infrastructure was at an advanced stage, with cameras already mounted at key intersections across the capital.
“In terms of progress under phase one, there are 20 sites (for cameras) in Harare . . . and we do have cameras that have been mounted on poles at various intersections,” he said.
“In respect of the steel poles, what we call street furniture, the good thing is that everything has been locally manufactured.
“The steel poles are manufactured in Msasa (Harare) by our people. We buy the steel from local suppliers and manufacturers.”
The local manufacture of the street poles has naturally boosted local industry, in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of increased job creation.
It is only the cameras that are imported.
Eng Nkala said they imported the cameras “from our partner”.
“We have got 20 sites and in terms of implementation, the 20 sites are done and cameras have been deployed and we currently have 16 sites that are live.
“As you travel along Samora Machel into town, obviously you encounter cameras and we are already getting violations,” he said.
Road safety experts say surveillance systems can help reduce accidents by discouraging dangerous driving habits such as running red lights, illegal turns, speeding and failure to give way.
The cameras also provide evidence that can assist law enforcement agencies in investigating accidents and enforcing compliance with traffic laws.
Eng Nkala urged motorists to revisit the Highway Code and exercise greater caution on the roads.
“I must say that the owner of the project is (the Ministry of) Home Affairs and we are the technical partner.
“We are seeing a pattern; the kind of violations that we are seeing are very worrisome and you are warned that you must revisit your Highway Code in respect of how you approach intersections,” he said.
A motorist, Mr Kelvin Sithole, hailed the surveillance system, saying he expects it to strengthen road safety and support Government efforts to reduce road carnage through technology-driven law enforcement.
With more sites expected to come on stream in the coming months, authorities hope the increased monitoring of traffic intersections will encourage responsible driving behaviour and ultimately contribute to a decline in road accidents across the country.
