adminThe Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said the five-day exercise, which was launched at Bubi, which forms the boundary between the two provinces, follows an increase in the number of highway robberies and accidents occurring between Bubi area in Mwenezi District and Beitbridge.
“We have launched a combined operation with our Masvingo counterpart following an increase in the number of robberies and accidents occurring along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road,” said Insp Dzirutwe.
“The thrust of the campaign is to raise awareness to motorists urging them to be wary of organised syndicates of robbers operating on our highway. Crime knows no boundary, which is why we have decided to conduct joint operations with our Masvingo counterparts.”
Insp Dzirutwe also warned people against using undesignated entry points along the Limpopo River to cross into South Africa, saying they risked being mugged and attacked by crocodiles.
The provincial police spokesperson for Masvingo, Inspector Tinaye Matake, warned motorists against parking their cars at secluded places as they risked being attacked by robbers.
“As police we would like to warn motorists against parking at secluded areas as well as offering transport to strangers. Truck drivers who illegally sell fuel along the highway should also be extra-cautious because chances of them being mugged by the same people who purport to be buyers are high. Our operation is also aimed at educating people, especially motorists about the prevalence of robberies along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road by organised syndicates,” said Insp Matake.
“We want to ensure that travellers and visitors using our roads are safe during the festive period. We are carrying traffic safety awareness campaigns because we realise that a number of areas such Matshiloni and Bubi have turned into black spots where people are hit by trucks.”
He urged motorists to be cautious and be on the lookout for stray animals to minimise accidents.
Of late there has been an increase in the number of accidents occurring along the same stretch, which has since become a death trap.
Matabeleland South police are operating from Beitbridge to Bubi while those from Masvingo take up the patrols from Bubi to Ngundu during the festive period.
Cases of highway robberies along the Beitbridge-Masvingo and Beitbridge-Bulawayo roads continue to rise and a number of unsuspecting motorists have fallen prey to the armed robbers.
During yesterday’s campaign police officers distributed pamphlets containing information on road safety measures to motorists.
Online Reporter