29 die in accidents over Heroes holiday

At least 29 people had died by yesterday afternoon, while 118 others had been injured in 181 road accidents recorded during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.

Last year, 32 people died while 149 others were injured in 179 accidents recorded during the same period.

Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said police issued 19 365 tickets to motorists for various offences and impounded 215 unroadworthy vehicles.

“The accidents were attributed mostly to human error, speeding, overtaking errors, misjudgment and inattention and unlicensed drivers,” he said.

Chief Supt Nyathi said Harare recorded the highest number of deaths with eight, followed by Bulawayo with five and Masvingo four, while Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central recorded three deaths each.

Midlands and Mashonaland West recorded two fatalities each, while Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South had one death each.

No deaths were recorded in Manicaland.

Chief Supt Nyathi urged motorists to observe all traffic rules and regulations.

“We are appealing to all drivers to avoid speeding and to respect other road users,” he said. “They must also observe all road rules and regulations so that we safeguard lives.”

Chief Supt Nyathi said no major crimes of concern were recorded during the holidays and urged the public to continue safeguarding their property and to be alert at all times.

He said the police will remain deployed to ensure that the public enjoy a crime-free environment.

This year’s Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day holidays started on a tragic note with 13 people perishing along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road on Monday last week.

The accident, involving a Zupco bus travelling from Malawi to Harare and a Nyamapanda-bound haulage truck, followed the death of 18 passengers in an accident involving a South Africa-registered truck and a commuter omnibus along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway a week earlier.