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Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba

Faith Mabuto Midlands Reporter
ELEVEN people died from seven road accidents that happened during the Independence holiday, police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba has said.

She said the figure was an increase from last year which saw 10 people losing their lives from road traffic accidents.

“I would like to inform the nation that 11 people died in seven road traffic accidents which were recorded during the Independence holiday compared to 10 people who died in 2014”, said Snr Asst Com Charamba.

She said most fatal road traffic accidents involved pedestrians who were trying to cross the road or were standing by the road side.

“Compared to last year, the number of road traffic accidents has increased from 63 to 77. The number of fatal road accidents remained unchanged to last year’s at seven. The number of people who died during this holiday is 11 compared to 10 last year while those who were injured dropped from 85 to 20,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said she was disappointed by the conduct of some of the commuter omnibus operators. She said the kombi crews’ conduct was disturbing and in some instances ‘nerve wrecking’.

She said some of the drivers were going through red robots, overtaking in front of oncoming vehicles, driving dangerously in-between lanes and speeding in residential areas resulting in the loss of life of pedestrians and passengers.

She appealed to all road users to be always careful and alert when travelling. “We’re concerned with the loss of human life on the roads. We’re passionately appealing to all road users to have conscience when driving and respect other road users. Let’s all play our part to make our roads safe. We shouldn’t turn our roads into death traps. Let’s fight for accident free-days,” she said.

In an accident that happened in Gweru, two pedestrians died after they were hit by a vehicle as they were crossing the Bulawayo-Gweru highway while holding hands.

Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said investigations were underway.

She said the pedestrians were hit at the 314km peg along the Bulawayo-Gweru highway on April 18 at around 7:30PM by a Mitsubishi Pajero that was being driven by a Zimbabwean man based in Botswana, Antony Manenji, 33. Manenji was travelling towards Bulawayo with three other passengers.

Sibonginkosi Ncube, 21, died on the spot while Limukani Ndonga, 29, died on admission to Gweru Provincial Hospital after an unidentified vehicle, which did not stop, ran over her after Manenji’s car had hit her.

Asst Insp Mukwende said they were appealing to people with information that may help them identify the driver of the vehicle that did not stop at the accident scene. “I confirm that two pedestrians were killed in a road accident on April 18 at about 7:30PM at the 314km peg along the Bulawayo-Gweru highway,” Asst Insp Mukwende.

“Ndonga was then run over by another unidentified vehicle which was travelling towards Gweru. The unidentified vehicle didn’t stop. Ncube was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he died on admission.”

Asst Insp Mukwende advised drivers to exercise maximum caution when using the country’s roads.

“Drivers should adhere to all road rules and regulations to avoid such incidents. The road regulations include the need to have good tyres during the rainy season as the road will be slippery and drivers please maintain safe speeds,” she said