Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has urged motorists to exercise caution when approaching pedestrian crossing points and has acquired equipment to repaint these crossings nationwide, following a sharp rise in fatal hit-and-run accidents.
According to recent police statistics, more than 2 081 pedestrians were killed or injured in hit-and-run traffic accidents between January and March this year. This figure represents an increase compared with the same period last year, when 1 905 cases were recorded.
Most victims of hit-and-run incidents include schoolchildren, pedestrians crossing roads — especially at zebra crossings and traffic-controlled areas — and those walking along pavements.
The spike in casualties has prompted the Government to acquire equipment that will repaint pedestrian crossing points in all the country’s 10 provinces to curb such incidents.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona revealed this yesterday when he launched the initiative to repaint pedestrian crossing points.
He was accompanied by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Engineer Joy Makumbe, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) board chairperson, Mr Kura Sibanda, TSCZ managing director, Mr Munesu Munodawafa, Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, and Zinara board member, Retired Colonel Charles Mugari.
In an interview, Minister Mhona said the Government would continue prioritising safety by curbing road traffic accidents across the country.
“What we have done here is to make sure that we enhance issues to do with safety,” he said. “Working closely with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and Zinara, we have procured paint to attend to all our zebra crossings and also continue to mark our roads in all ten provinces. Above that, we have also procured road marking machines for the 10 provinces.
“We want to move with speed and also continue educating our people that we cannot just cross willy-nilly on a road. There are designated points where you are supposed to be crossing, and this is one of the examples we have demonstrated — that we need to cross on a zebra crossing or designated crossing points.
“But what is quite saddening is that, as I speak, we have lost ten precious lives through a road accident that happened on the Gokwe-Kwekwe Road. We are saddened as a nation and we continue to mourn. We cannot continue losing precious lives on our roads. I appeal again to our motorists, as we are remarking these pedestrian crossings and also establishing new crossings, to respect our pedestrians.”
Minister Mhona urged motorists to exercise caution whenever they approach any pedestrian crossing point and to respect pedestrians when they are crossing.
“In other jurisdictions, whenever you see people crossing on zebra crossings, they do respect pedestrians,” he said. “So, I appeal again to the people of Zimbabwe to say, yes, we continue championing issues to do with safety through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.”
TSCZ board chairperson, Mr Kura Sibanda, said the council would continue prioritising safety by conducting awareness campaigns nationwide and had put in place adequate measures to curb road carnage.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Harare Metropolitan Province Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Management, Engineer Timothy Rukuni, the Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa, said: “Road safety is no longer just a policy discussion but a shared national responsibility that demands collective action from Government institutions, local authorities, the private sector, civil society organisations, development partners, and every road user.
“As Harare Metropolitan Province, we stand ready to play our part.”
Zinara board member, Retired Colonel Charles Mugari, also said the administration was proud of the growing and impactful partnership it continues to share with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe in advancing the road safety agenda.
“Through road fund disbursements and collaborative programmes, we have collectively demonstrated that partnerships are essential in saving lives and improving safety on our roads,” he said.
“One of the notable areas of cooperation between Zinara and TSCZ has been support for road markings and visibility enhancement initiatives. Through funds availed under our collaborative efforts, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe was able to procure specialised road marking paint to improve visibility and safety on our roads.
“Road markings are not merely paint on the road surface — they are critical safety guides that assist motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users in navigating safely, particularly at night and during adverse weather conditions. Improved road signage and markings contribute exceptionally towards accident prevention, traffic organisation, and overall road safety management. We are proud that this partnership continues to deliver practical and measurable interventions that directly contribute towards the preservation of human life.”
Councillor Jacob Mafume also urged pedestrians to use designated crossing points in and around the city to avoid being hit and killed by motorists.
Peter Tanyanyiwa