Heroes and Defence Forces holidays claim 16 lives

Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter

THE police have reported an increase in the number of total traffic accidents as well as the number of fatalities while a decrease was only recorded in the number of fatal accidents.

According to the police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the recorded statistics show that the number of total road traffic accidents increased from 134 to 149 and the number of fatal accidents decreased from 12 to eight. However, the number of fatalities rose from 15 to 16 and injuries remained relatively consistent, with 76 reported in 2023 and 77 in 2024.

The police said some road traffic accidents recorded during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays were caused by reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding and overtaking errors.

“For instance, in a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on 13 August 2024 at around 6:45am at corner St Patricks and Seke Road, the accident was caused by an overtaking error after a Toyota Hiace kombi carrying 15 passengers tried to overtake a Mazda Bongo Van which was intending to turn right.

“Subsequently, the Toyota Hiace kombi went on to collide head-on with a Nissan Caravan Kombi, resulting in the death of three people and injury of 32 others,” said Comm Nyathi.

He said in another road traffic accident which occurred on 12 August 2024, at around 10pm along Magadzire-Dazi dust road near Nyagoma Village, Tangwena, Nyanga, a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 12 passengers overturned after developing a mechanical failure while ascending a steep hill. As a result, three people were killed while six others were injured.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that motorists should be patient on the roads and avoid overtaking when it is not safe to do so. Motorists should also prioritize the servicing of vehicles to ensure they are fit and secure to carry passengers or goods on the roads.

“Drivers should not speed in situations which are not safe to do so. Above all, drivers should adhere to all road rules and regulations in order to curb the continuous loss of lives through road traffic accidents,” said Comm Nyathi.

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