Zimpapers Logo

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu/Mashudu Netsianda, Chronicle Reporters
POLICE Commissioner General Godwin Matanga has said the ZRP has deployed enough officers to ensure crime free Easter and Independence Holidays.

Among other strategies the police will mount roadblocks to ensure that motorists adhere to road regulations in order to reduce road carnage. The country records an increase in road accidents during holidays.

Last year, the Easter Holiday accident death toll increased by 225 percent compared to the same period in 2020. Eight people were killed in 2020 while 26 died last year during the Easter Holiday. Most of these accidents have been attributed to human error.

In a statement on the 2022 Easter and Independence holidays police duties, Comm Gen Matanga urged members of the public to observe the law and be on the lookout for law breakers. He said over the holidays motorists tend to be over excited leading to road carnage.

The police commissioner general said law breakers take advantage of the holidays to commit offences.

“As the nation braces for the forthcoming Easter and Independence Holidays the Zimbabwe Republic Police assures the public of their security throughout the country. The police have deployed adequate personnel to conduct patrols, stop and searches, blitz, road blocks and surveillance on criminal movement during the holidays,” he said.

Comm Gen Matanga added: “Travellers are implored to be alert and avoid being overexcited especially motorists on the roads. Drivers should set a good example by exhibiting a conduct which promotes road safety at all the times.

Motorists should avoid overtaking in situations which are not safe to do so or speeding thereby contributing to road carnage normally experience during holidays.”

He said police will be on high alert and all road unworthy vehicles will be impounded while motorists driving under the influence of alcohol will be arrested.

Comm General Matanga said the public service vehicle operators had to ensure their cars were road worthy. He said police will also be on the alert for robbery cases which increase during the holidays.

“The police will be on high alert to account for robbery suspects and others who commit criminal acts while taking advantage of the holidays.

In the same vein business people and individuals are urged to avoid keeping large sums of money in their premises as this will attract criminals.”

The police commissioner general urged parents and guardians to supervise children in order to curb cases of drowning, child abuse and other criminal offences targeted at children.

He implored the public to continue observing Covid-19 regulations. Comm Gen Matanga appealed to members of the public to cooperate with police officers as they enforce the law.

“The police will therefore continue to enforce the regulations which govern the wearing if face masks, social distancing and sanitising,” he said.

Meanwhile, Government has called on the motoring public to exercise caution and adhere to stipulated traffic laws and warned operators of public service vehicles and private motorists against using defective and unroadworthy vehicles during the Easter and Independence holiday period.

Police and Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) will be out in full force to enforce traffic laws during the holiday period.

In a statement, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said public transport operators should desist from the habit of over-working their drivers which results in fatigue.

He said drivers should stick to regulated speed limits as speeding is one of the major causes of fatal road accidents. “Driving under the influence of alcohol is a punishable offence and is totally unacceptable.

It is my fervent hope that we shall all thrive to make this year’s Easter and Independence holidays accident free by exercising extreme caution ad adhering to all traffic laws,” he said.

The minister said as part of efforts to prevent road traffic related deaths and injuries, police and Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) will participate in joint enforcement operations throughout the holiday period.

“I would therefore want to urge all our road users to observe traffic laws as well as Covid-19 safety protocols set by the World Health Organisation and our Government,” he said.

Minister Mhona said public service vehicles have to follow Government’s Covid-19 health protocols such as ensuring that all passengers wear face masks with their employees vaccinated against Covid-19.

“Road safety has a sharper focus during this period with more people travelling to holiday destinations, religious ceremonies or to join their families for holidays. Motorists are urged to make their holiday journeys safer and smarter by preparing them well and making right choices,” he said.

“This is a special time of the year and no holiday should be marred by a road crash that could be easily avoided.”

The country has over the years witnessed an increase in road traffic accidents during such public holidays hence the need for motorists to exercise extreme caution and observe all traffic rules and regulations