Chronicle Editor
Africa Moyo/Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
TRAVELLING at night should be reduced while drivers need to familiarise with routes they will use when transporting children to minimise accidents.
In addition, traffic safety programmes need to be accelerated in schools, Cabinet said yesterday.
This follows that horror crash that occurred in Nyanga last Friday and claimed the lives of six pupils from Tynwald High School.
The accident occurred when the bus veered off the road and overturned at the 75km peg along the Rusape-Nyanga Road near Pine Tree Hotel.
In her address during yesterday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said Cabinet was briefed on the accident by Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet noted with sadness the deaths of five girls and one boy in the accident, on their way to a school trip.
The accident left 35 other pupils and four staff members injured.
“Currently, 32 pupils have been treated and discharged, while five remain in a critical condition at the Avenues Clinic,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“Two teachers have been discharged, while two remain admitted and critical at Avenues Clinic. As Government we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. Police investigations are ongoing.
“In order to reduce road carnages, Cabinet resolved as follows: (1) that there was need to reduce travelling at night, (2) that drivers need to familiarise themselves with the routes that they will be using when ferrying children, and (3) that traffic safety awareness programmes in schools be ramped up.”
Cabinet wishes to express its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and communities, Minister Mutsvangwa said.
Earlier yesterday while addressing the National Assembly, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, expressed sadness over the death of the six learners.
He said Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona had been directed to address the issue of accidents that are claiming lives on the roads.
“Sure we are all sad about what happened to the children who lost their lives in the accident.
“These are the leaders of tomorrow and we expect that they grow to maturity,” he said.
VP Chiwenga added that it was wrong that the accident occurred at night.
“Children should never travel at night and the relevant Ministry (Primary and Secondary Education) is looking into the matter.
“The Ministry of Transport will also be holding seminars to address the situation about the drivers on the roads and what needs to be done and once he has done what he has been ordered to, he will come with the Ministerial Statement and advise Parliament,” VP Chiwenga said.
Early response by medical personnel from surrounding areas, said the VP, had prevented more fatalities from the accident.
Nyanga District Hospital dispatched ambulances including two it received recently under a Government programme targeting district hospitals.
Other ambulances came from Mutare and the Zimbabwe National Army’s All Arms Battle School in Nyanga.
The six learners were buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park on Monday.
Meanwhile, debate on the Health Services Bill resumed in the National Assembly yesterday.
In his submissions, VP Chiwenga said Government was working round the clock to improve service delivery at public health institutions.
He said some of the measures adopted by Government in its restructuring of operations at public hospitals include hiring of personnel with health qualifications to run the institutions.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter