Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has ordered urgent and coordinated action to stem the escalating road carnage following a surge of horrific traffic accidents that claimed 24 lives in just five days, warning that reckless driving and unsafe vehicles can no longer be tolerated.
The President’s intervention comes in the wake of three major accidents that have plunged families and communities into mourning across the country.
The latest tragedy occurred on Wednesday along the Gokwe–Kwekwe Road when a bus carrying 36 passengers allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle before colliding head-on with an oncoming 30-tonne haulage truck.
Eight people died on the spot while two more succumbed to injuries at Gweru Provincial Hospital.
The latest crash pushed the national road accidents death toll over the past five days to 24, following another fatal accident near Redcliff on Africa Day involving a Honda Fit and a haulage truck, which claimed six lives and the Deka Road disaster in Hwange on May 23 which killed eight Roman Catholic pilgrims. The driver of the vehicle the pilgrims were travelling in lost control of the vehicle at the bridge and it plunged into Deka River.
In a statement yesterday, President Mnangagwa expressed concern over what he described as a “bloody trail” on the country’s roads after three major accidents left dozens dead and many others injured.
He said the increasing loss of life should awaken the nation’s collective conscience and push authorities to act decisively against reckless driving and unroadworthy vehicles.
“In a space of five days, our nation has witnessed three major road traffic accidents in which 24 innocent lives have perished,” said President Mnangagwa.
“This grave turn of mishaps on our roads must exercise our collective conscience and spur Government departments and agencies involved in ensuring road safety to act with urgency and greater coordination so the carnage is stopped.”
The President said the latest accidents called for drastic measures and lasting solutions targeting irresponsible behaviour on the roads.
He also directed Government to accelerate the re-establishment of road maintenance units across the country and provide adequate resources for repairs to weather-damaged highways and roads.
“I am also directing Government to speed up the re-establishment of road maintenance units across the country, and to avail adequate resources for impactful remedial work on our weather-damaged highways and roads,” he said.
The Second Republic has in recent years prioritised road rehabilitation projects under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), which has seen major highways and urban roads undergoing reconstruction and maintenance across the country.
However, the Government acknowledges that many roads still require extensive rehabilitation, particularly after heavy rains damaged sections of major routes during the last rainy season.
The tragic accidents have left many families devastated after their loved ones were either killed or injured.
President Mnangagwa conveyed his condolences to bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“As I condole with, and extend Government assistance to the bereaved and affected families, I wish all those injured in the three accidents speedy recovery,” he said.
