Zimbabwe’s Traffic Safety Council set for major overhaul

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

TRANSPORT and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona has appealed to Parliament for support in the bid to transform the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TCSZ) to an agency with enforcement powers for traffic offences.

Minister Mhona said this in the National Assembly yesterday while responding to questions from legislators.

Presently, the TSCZ is primarily responsible for raising road safety awareness through persuasion but as an Agency, it will also have added roles to enforce regulations and issue tickets for traffic offences and coordinate road safety efforts.

“Very soon we will set the ball rolling and come to this House that you support that the TSCZ be transformed into an Agency so that it has teeth to bite,” he said.

Minister Mhona also said as part of efforts to curb road carnage, Government had tightened issuance of Class 1 and 2 drivers’ licences.

“The new regulation is that you now need to obtain a Class 4 licence (light vehicles) first then wait for at least a year before you obtain a Class 2 (for lorries) then lastly Class 1 (for buses).

“This is to ensure that we have experienced and mature drivers especially for public transport,” he said.

Minister Mhona said approximately 2 000 lives are lost annually through road accidents, which was unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando said the second phase of the promotion of responsible mining would be launched before the end of next month.

“The second part of the policy document will be launched before the end of October and will among other things, provide stiffer penalties for irresponsible miners and their obligations to reclaim the environment,” said Minister Chitando.