149 road traffic accidents recorded during the Her...

149 road traffic accidents recorded during the Heroes, defence forces holidays

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police have blamed the rise in road accidents over the Heroes and Defence Forces day holidays commemorated on August 12 and 13 to reckless driving and negligence by motorists. a development that has received rising calls for penalisation of offenders amid nationwide condemnation.

This year’s holiday saw a rise in road traffic accidents from last year’s 134 to 149 while witnessing a significant decrease in fatal accidents recorded under the same period in review.

Number of victims that were killed as a result of the accidents in 2024 remained slightly consistent as well as number of injured victims, with those recorded last year at 15 while this year recorded 16 casualties, with number of injuries recorded standing at 76 and 77 respectively.

In a statement, National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, expressed worry over the recklessness being displayed by motorists and public transport operators, where many of the fatalities recorded this year came from such occurrences such as the fatal accident that occurred on August 13 at corner St Patricks and Seke involving two kombis that claimed three lives while 32 others were injured.

“Some of the accidents recorded during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays were caused by reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding and overtaking errors. The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that motorists should be patient on the roads and avoid overtaking when it is not safe to do so.

"Above all, drivers should adhere to all road rules and regulations in order to curb continuous loss of lives through road traffic accidents,” Commissioner Nyathi said.

The calls by the Commissioner come as Police boss Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga also echoed the same sentiments before the kickstart of the holidays, warning that vehicles found unroadworthy will be impounded, while also urging road users to be cautious on the newly rehabilitated road.