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Police and onlookers at the scene of the crash along the Plumtree-Bulawayo highway

Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
THE death toll in road traffic accidents during the festive season has reached 81, as police  urged motorists to be cautious ahead of New Year celebrations.Police yesterday said the total number of people injured between December 15, and December 27 also increased from 430 last year to 589 this year, a 36 percent increase.

Six more people died during the same period this year compared to 75 who died during the same period last year. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said the total number of accidents recorded under the same period rose from 822 last year to 1,012 this year with police impounding 2,289 vehicles.

“All these vehicles were impounded for defects of being unroadworthy and traffic police also issued 96,634 tickets this festive season for various traffic offences,” Chief Supt Nyathi said.

He said the number of people who died on December 27 has declined compared to the same day last year.

“Three people were killed on December 27 this year compared to six last year on the same day, whilst 67 people were injured last year in road accidents compared to 54 this year on the same date,” Chief Supt Nyathi said.

He added that on December 27 this year, 106 vehicles were impounded and 6,978 tickets were issued, compared to none last year during the same day.

“As we prepare to celebrate the New Year, motorists are urged to continue exercising caution on the road,” he said. Meanwhile, police have arrested Sambulelo Ndlovu, 35, of Bulawayo in connection with a case of unlawful possession of a firearm.

“The accused hired a tax from Machipisa to Southley Park, Harare, on December 24, 2014. The driver became suspicious and drove to ZRP Machipisa where the accused was searched by detectives,” he said.

He said police recovered a pistol with a magazine of one round, two by two metre nylon rope, a hunter’s knife and two pairs of latex gloves as well as a roll of adhesive tape.

Chief Supt Nyathi said when interviewed, Ndlovu implicated three accomplices who invited him from Bulawayo to Harare intending to commit robberies.

“Police are conducting investigations with the view to arresting the accused accomplices,” he said.