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Mnangagwa alarmed by deadly road crashes on dilapidated roads
3 hrs ago |
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed concern over the recent surge in fatal road accidents after three major crashes within five days claimed 24 lives across Zimbabwe.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mnangagwa described the accidents as a "bloody trail" and called for urgent action to address reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles and deteriorating road infrastructure.
"The latest spate of accidents calls for drastic measures and lasting solutions targeting irresponsible behaviour and un-roadworthy vehicles on our roads," Mnangagwa said.
The President was reacting to the latest fatal crash along the Gokwe-Kwekwe Road, where a head-on collision involving a bus and a haulage truck killed 10 people.
"In a space of five days, our nation has witnessed three major road traffic accidents in which 24 innocent lives have perished," he said.
Mnangagwa said the rising number of deaths on the country's roads should prompt stronger coordination and immediate action by Government departments, road safety authorities and law enforcement agencies.
"The increase in these fatal accidents should exercise our collective conscience and inspire greater urgency, coordination and action from all arms of government and agencies responsible for road safety," he said.
The President also directed Government to speed up the re-establishment of road maintenance units across the country and ensure adequate funding for road rehabilitation projects.
"I am also directing Government to speed up the re-establishment of road maintenance units across the country, and to avail adequate resources for impactful remedial work on our weather-damaged highways and roads," he said.
Mnangagwa conveyed condolences to families who lost loved ones in the accidents and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Zimbabwe has witnessed a rise in fatal road accidents in recent years, with authorities attributing many of the crashes to speeding, reckless driving, vehicle defects and poor road conditions.
Concerns over the deteriorating state of major highways have intensified ahead of peak travel periods, with calls growing for stricter traffic law enforcement and increased investment in road rehabilitation programmes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mnangagwa described the accidents as a "bloody trail" and called for urgent action to address reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles and deteriorating road infrastructure.
"The latest spate of accidents calls for drastic measures and lasting solutions targeting irresponsible behaviour and un-roadworthy vehicles on our roads," Mnangagwa said.
The President was reacting to the latest fatal crash along the Gokwe-Kwekwe Road, where a head-on collision involving a bus and a haulage truck killed 10 people.
"In a space of five days, our nation has witnessed three major road traffic accidents in which 24 innocent lives have perished," he said.
Mnangagwa said the rising number of deaths on the country's roads should prompt stronger coordination and immediate action by Government departments, road safety authorities and law enforcement agencies.
"The increase in these fatal accidents should exercise our collective conscience and inspire greater urgency, coordination and action from all arms of government and agencies responsible for road safety," he said.
The President also directed Government to speed up the re-establishment of road maintenance units across the country and ensure adequate funding for road rehabilitation projects.
"I am also directing Government to speed up the re-establishment of road maintenance units across the country, and to avail adequate resources for impactful remedial work on our weather-damaged highways and roads," he said.
Mnangagwa conveyed condolences to families who lost loved ones in the accidents and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Zimbabwe has witnessed a rise in fatal road accidents in recent years, with authorities attributing many of the crashes to speeding, reckless driving, vehicle defects and poor road conditions.
Concerns over the deteriorating state of major highways have intensified ahead of peak travel periods, with calls growing for stricter traffic law enforcement and increased investment in road rehabilitation programmes.
Source - Newsday
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