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Freeman Razemba, Senior Reporter
There has been an increase in fatal and hit-and-run road accidents on most of the roads that were recently rehabilitated countrywide despite calls by the police urging motorists to exercise caution when driving.
Several people have been killed while others have been left seriously injured in the accidents.
Often, the major cause of the accidents is human error, notably inattention, misjudgement, overtaking mistakes and failure to observe road rules and regulations by drivers.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 28-kilometre peg along Harare-Bulawayo Road on Wednesday at around 5pm.
Two people were killed while six others were injured when a Toyota Wish carrying eight passengers veered off the road before hitting a concrete power line pole.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Norton Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured were admitted to the same hospital. The driver fled from the scene.
Police in Harare are also investigating a road traffic accident which occurred on Wednesday at around 2330 hours at the intersection of Nemakonde Way and Stone Road, near Greencroft Shopping Centre.
An unknown motorist hit a yet-to-be-identified man and did not stop after the accident. The victim sustained multiple body injuries and was admitted to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Last week, President Mnangagwa lamented the growing number of road traffic accidents occurring on the country’s roads, despite the rehabilitation that has been done.
“With regards to the numerous roads that have been rehabilitated and modernised throughout the country; I am gravely alarmed by the number of road traffic accidents. Let us quickly adapt to the emerging realities associated with our fast-approaching upper-middle-income society status with a higher quality of life. We must all be allowed to enjoy the Zimbabwe we all want. Let us save lives by being cautious on our roads,” President Mnangagwa said.
In an interview recently, Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary Engineer Joy Makumbe also expressed concern over the increase in road accidents and urged all motorists to obey road rules and regulations.
“Let’s enjoy our improved road infrastructure safely. Remember, the goal is to enhance trafficability and not to lose precious lives. Drive responsibly and let’s save lives,” she said.
Zimbabwe United Deregulated Commuter Operators (ZUDCO) president Mr Frederick Maguramhinga also said: “As a nation, we have experienced an increase in road traffic accidents. Both public transport (drivers) and private motorists are to blame. While we accept that some roads need reconstruction and signage, human errors have contributed significantly.
“Speeding, wrong overtaking, faulty vehicles, texting and driving, misjudgement and drugs and alcohol abuse are the major causes,” he said.
Mr Maguramhinga said the drivers of small illegal pirate taxis had also changed the roads into war zones because of their behaviour.
Police recently urged motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations to curb road accidents.
This came after 37 people were killed while over 100 were injured countrywide in road traffic accidents.
During this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, four fatal road traffic accidents occurred on August 12 and August 13, 2024, in Marondera, Harare and Nyanga.
At least 16 people were killed while 77 others were injured in 149 accidents recorded during the Heroes and Defence Forces long weekend.
During the same period last year, 15 people died while 76 others were injured in 134 road accidents recorded.
Reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding and overtaking errors were blamed for some of the accidents recorded during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.
Online Reporter