By Zvifadzo Lubombo
At least 200 people were killed in road traffic accidents in October alone, compared to 171 over the same period last year, a senior police officer has said.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi attributed the increase to human error, defective vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol, among other factors.
“This is worrisome and we urge people to exercise caution when driving on the country’s roads.”
Last week, 24 mourners were burnt beyond recognition after a Mazda T-35 truck they were travelling in collided head-on with a Green Fuel tanker carrying 45 000 litres of ethanol which burst into flames on impact in Chisumbanje.
In another accident, seven family members perished when the driver of a Toyota Corolla lost control, resulting in the car side-swiping with an oncoming bus along the Gweru– Shurugwi Road.
Furthermore, seven people were killed, while 64 others were injured in an accident which occurred along the Mvurwi–Muzarabani Road. Fatal accidents are being reported almost daily. Many accidents occur in the festive season.
Police and the Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Council have rolled out awareness campaigns over the years to educate motorists on such dangers.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Domboshawa Theological College Dr Goeffrey Chada said churches should pray for the country as the number of lives being lost in accidents is increasing daily.
“The only organisation that can stand and pray for the protection of people against these mysterious accidents is the church. We must pray to reduce carnage on our national roads.”
Dr Chada said this at a graduation ceremony for 19 pastors at the college.
