Accidents claim over 1 400 since January

of others were injured in 26 576 accidents recorded countrywide between January and September this year.
Addressing delegates during the Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe workshop in Harare yesterday, national traffic police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome said 11 043 people were injured this year due to road accidents.
The two-day workshop, organised by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, brought together indigenous African church bishops to deliberate on causes and ways of reducing road accidents ahead of the festive season.
The festive season is usually characterised by movement mainly by members of different religious organisations who travel long distances to observe the Christmas holiday.
“The number of accidents recorded this year until September 30 totalled 4 309 with 1 076 of these resulting in death. Looking at the high accident numbers involving them (apostolic members), it is a noble idea to involve them in awareness campaigns,” he said.
The bishops who attended the workshop were drawn from Harare, Masvingo, Mashonaland East, Central and West provinces.
A similar workshop would be held in Bulawayo tomorrow.
Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Ministry secretary Mr Munesu Munodawafa said a holistic approach was needed to reduce road accidents.
He said holding awareness campaigns with various stakeholders before the festive season would help in the reduction of road fatalities.
“We appreciate the efforts exhibited by the bishops because this illustrates that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure road carnage is reduced,” he said.
He said accidents cost Government money and resources hence it was important to involve everyone in the awareness campaigns.
Without people’s involvement Government efforts would not bear fruits, he said.
TSCZ managing director Mr Obio Chinyere said overloading, unroad-worthy vehicles and driving at night were some of the causes of most road accidents.
“The apostolic sect has a huge following in the country and educating their bishops will result in the followers attaining knowledge as well,” he said.
“We want them to warn their drivers against overloading and speeding. This is a national programme and on Thursday we are going to engage bishops in southern parts of the country at another workshop in Bulawayo,” he said.
UDACIZA secretary general Reverend Edison Tsvakai said they had lost a lot of church members due to road accidents hence the need to engage traffic experts.
“Church members have perished mainly due to lack of knowledge and these workshops will go a long way in helping our members,” he said.
Last year, 21 members of the apostolic sect died in an accident in Mvurwi while this year 45 people have been killed in separate accidents in Nyanga, Mazowe and Rusape.