Deaths rise as motorists fume over roadblocks

Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
THE holiday death toll has risen to 86, amid complaints by motorists that there are too many roadblocks on the country’s roads. According to police, the country has recorded a reduction in the number of accidents compared to last year due to an increased number of roadblocks during the festive season.

Five more people died in road accidents between Monday and yesterday bringing the number of people who have been killed to 86 from 81.

National police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said the country had so far recorded 953 accidents since the start of the festive season on December 15.

“As at 9am today a total of 953 accidents have been recorded compared to 1,040 during the same period in 2012. The number of people that have died so far since the start of the festive season has risen to 86,” Chief Supt Nyathi said.

“We have also recorded a total of 501 people that have been injured compared to 749 in 2012.”
Chief Supt Nyathi said the police would continue working hard to curb carnage on the roads and reported that 1,318 vehicles have been impounded for various defects countrywide.

“A total of 93,931 tickets have also been issued to motorists for various offences,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said yesterday one person died in an accident in Masvingo Province while another one died in Mashonaland Central and three in Mashonaland West, bringing the total number of people who died to 86.

He appealed to motorists to be observant and exercise extreme caution when travelling on the roads to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
He said motorists must respect each other on the roads adding that they should avoid speeding, drinking and driving.

However, motorists have expressed concern over the “excessive” number of roadblocks mounted on the country’s roads, saying it was an inconvenience to them.

“You pass through six or seven roadblocks before you get into the city centre. What good does it serve to be stopped numerous times in a space of 12km?” said a kombi driver who plies the city-Gwabalanda route.

“The police are inconveniencing us and no amount of explanation can convince me otherwise. Now we have to leave for work earlier to get to work on time. This is not fair,” a Bulawayo resident said.

Chief Supt Nyathi said police would not be deterred by motorists from performing their duties.
“I am not aware of the complaints but we will not be deterred from performing our constitutional duties. We will not compromise people’s lives because we are mandated to protect people’s lives and safeguard properties.

“We will continue to mount roadblocks on the country’s highways, residential and industrial areas, despite the complaints.
“If we do not deploy police officers on our roads, people complain and when we do so people complain again. We will therefore do what is right,” said Supt Nyathi.