Motorists urged to respect the sanctity of life

Bulawayo (New Ziana)- Motorists should exercise caution and respect the sanctity of life when driving on the country`s roads, particularly during the coming festive season, a senior government official has said.

Matabeleland South permanent secretary Latiso Dlamini said this during a memorial service for 22 victims of the road traffic accident which occurred at the 28 km peg along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Road on Wednesday.

According to the police, a South Africa-bound Toyota Quantum collided with a DAF truck with two occupants at around 10 PM.

Two people survived the horrific crash and are both battling for life at the Mpilo Central Hospital, the driver of the DAF truck and a woman who was in the Quantum.

President Mnangagwa declared the accident a national disaster to enable the government to mobilise resources to accord the victims state assisted funerals.

The memorial service was held at the Bulawayo Khumalo Hockey Stadium where hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to their departed relatives.

“It’s so sad that we have lost breadwinners due to a road traffic accident and their families are left stranded. It is very sad to note that most of these accidents are caused by human error.

“I urge road traffic police to take stern measures and arrest all road offenders without fear or favour. I also want to urge members of the public to report any form of recklessness by drivers to relevant authorities,” said Dhlamini.

She said as the festive season approaches, motorists should avoid drinking and driving as well as driving unroadworthy vehicles.

“As the Christmas and New Year festive season approaches, the risk of road accidents increases. Therefore, we urged all drivers to avoid speeding, driving unroadworthy vehicles as well as drinking behind steering wheels,” she said.

Dlamini also encouraged members of the public to desist from taking pictures at accident scenes but instead render assistance.

“Where is our Ubuntu where these days relatives get to know about the death of their relatives through social media? Let’s desist from this culture of taking pictures and videos from the scene of accidents. We should render assistance to the injured and respect the deceased,” she said.

She said government was mobilising resources to rehabilitate major roads in the Matabeleland region as it moves ahead with infrastructure development across the country.

Speaker after speaker implored the government to urgently attend to the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway saying it has become a death trap to motorists.

The state of the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway has been a cause for concern to stakeholders and motorists as driving has become a nightmare due to potholes and total collapse of some stretches of the roads.

Meanwhile, the government provided each bereaved family with a coffin and transport from Doves Morgans funeral parlour, a food hamper and ZW$2 million.

New Ziana