Police, VID, TSCZ launch traffic blitz

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it will conduct a traffic blitz and "stop and search" patrols on major highways during the festive season.

Speaking at the festive season road safety awareness campaign launch in Harare, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the law enforcement agency wanted to minimise road traffic accidents.

"I want to reiterate, we will take action. It is not about just driving. It is being safety conscious and responsible on the country's roads," Nyathi said.

"We need our drivers to change their attitudes and realise that they play a key role in terms of the safety of Zimbabweans and visitors during the festive period."

Nyathi said unregistered and unroadworthy vehicles would be impounded.

Transport and Infrastructural Development deputy minister Joshua Sacco urged the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) to enforce "all aspects of vehicle fitness, with particular emphasis on public transport".

"Law enforcers must do their work without fear or favour, and it is my expectation that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) will provide adequate resources to create a conducive environment for the festive season road safety awareness campaign," Sacco said.

A 2021 study by the United Nations on road safety in Zimbabwe revealed that about 94% of all road traffic accidents in the country are attributable to human error.

"It is for this reason that, within the context of the whole of government approach the key players in road safety including, but not limited to the TSCZ, ZRP and VID, among others, will effective this weekend, deploy throughout the country and roll out a festive season road safety education and awareness campaign across all 10 provinces of the country," Sacco said.