Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has called for urgent and coordinated action to curb rising road traffic accidents following a series of crashes that claimed 24 lives within five days.
In a statement issued on Thursday, President Mnangagwa described the recent accidents as a “bloody trail” that should spur authorities into taking decisive measures to improve road safety across the country.
The latest accident occurred along the Gokwe-Kwekwe Road where a bus and a haulage truck were involved in a head-on collision, killing 10 people.
“In a space of five days, our Nation has witnessed three major road traffic accidents in which 24 innocent lives have perished,” said President Mnangagwa.
“This grave turn of mishaps on our roads must exercise our collective conscience and spur Government Departments and Agencies involved in ensuring road safety to act with urgency and greater coordination so the carnage is stopped.”
President Mnangagwa said the recent accidents called for drastic interventions targeting reckless behaviour by motorists as well as the removal of unroadworthy vehicles from the country’s roads.
“The latest spate of accidents calls for drastic measures and lasting solutions targeting irresponsible behaviour and un-roadworthy vehicles on our roads,” he said.
The President also directed Government to speed up the re-establishment of road maintenance units throughout the country and ensure adequate resources are availed for rehabilitation works on roads damaged by weather conditions.
“I am also directing Government to speed up the re-establishment of road maintenance units across the country, and to avail adequate resources for impactful remedial work on our weather-damaged highways and roads,” said President Mnangagwa.
He conveyed condolences to families who lost their loved ones and wished those injured in the accidents a speedy recovery.
“As I condole with, and extend Government assistance to the bereaved and affected families, I wish all those injured in the three accidents speedy recovery,” he said.
The country has in recent months recorded an increase in fatal road accidents, with authorities and road safety campaigners repeatedly calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved road infrastructure and responsible driving.
