Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) yesterday led a solemn prayer march from St Mary’s Police Station in Chitungwiza to the site of last month’s horrific Seke Road crash, imploring the nation to seek divine intervention and embrace road safety.
This comes after 17 people were killed in a collision involving a 30-tonne haulage truck and a commuter omnibus along Seke Road at Manyame Bridge.
Yesterday’s prayer march came at a critical time when Zimbabwe is approaching the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.
Traditionally, this period tends to be characterised by increased vehicular and human traffic and a spike in road accidents.
Speaking on the sidelines of the prayer march, ZCC Seke chairperson, Reverend Gloria Hokonya said: “We have gathered here and joined hands in prayer as one voice, calling on God to hear our plea to end all road accidents within and outside Seke.
“We are also praying that all those who lost their loved ones in the crash, should be consoled and helped so that they do not lose themselves during the grieving process and for the survivors to be healed.”
Rev Hokonya added that only God can help end the scourge of accidents, which is slowly killing people.
“Speed thrills but speed kills, and all those driving vehicles, especially during the upcoming holidays, must be cautious and know that life is sacred,” she said.
Chief Seke, born Stanley Chimanikire, said safety is everyone’s business.
“For us to reduce road accidents and deaths, we must take the front row seat in fighting for peace on the roads and ensuring that everyone observes all road rules,” he said.
Participants carried placards with messages of compassion, road safety and communal healing while the clergy led prayers and hymns.
Chief Seke condemned the “growing culture of paying for driver’s licences”, a practice he described as dangerous and contributed to road accidents.
“As a society we have become too lazy to go for driving lessons and defensive skills, resorting to illegally buying these documents which are necessary tools that help in reducing accidents,” he said.
Ms Yeukai Mutaunashe from Baptist Church spoke of the importance of holding such prayers.
“Prayer is instrumental and, in this case, I think it will help not only in reducing, but ending accidents; that is why we are here,” she said.
“There is need to replicate this in all provinces, especially as we approach Heroes and Defence Force days next week,” he said.
The march against accidents brought together major Christian denominations, including the United Methodist Church, Anglican Church, Salvation Army, and the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
It was a collective appeal for healing, remembrance and behaviour change on the country’s roads.
