Seven people, four of them believed to be soldiers, died while five others were injured on Thursday evening when a Toyota Vitz and an Isuzu truck were involved in an accident in Murehwa. The accident comes after Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo yesterday said police would maintain a heavy presence this festive season with random breathalyser tests set to be conducted on motorists on the country’s roads.
The crash occurred near the 11km peg along the Murehwa- Madicheche Road at around 5pm. Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the accident.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the death of seven people in a fatal road traffic accident which occurred near the 11km peg along Murehwa-Madicheche Road near Rukungwe Primary School on December 17, 2015 at around 1700 hours,” she said.
She said the Toyota Vitz was travelling towards Madicheche with four passengers on board and on approaching the 11km peg, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it swerved to the right.
It encroached into the opposite lane where it side-swiped the Isuzu KB250, which was travelling towards Murehwa with seven occupants.
“Six people including the driver of the Toyota Vitz died on the spot while one died on admission at Murehwa Hospital. Five others were injured and rushed to Murehwa Hospital for treatment,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
The bodies were taken to the hospital’s mortuary for post-mortem. “Police are conducting investigations into the circumstances which led to this unfortunate accident. The names of the deceased will be released in due course once their next of kin have been advised,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Dr Chombo said reckless motorists including those driving under the influence of alcohol, should face the full wrath of the law.
“We all need to collectively take a stance against reckless and irresponsible driving exhibited by some motorists on our roads. It is unfortunate and regrettable that human error has time again been singled out as a major cause of accidents,” he said.
“I wish, therefore, to assure the nation that the Government is taking bold measures to reduce the carnage. Members of the ZRP have already been deployed along all major roads to enforce traffic rules and regulations.”
He said as most parts of the country have received rains, motorists should desist from speeding as the roads would be slip- pery. “All motorists especially those driving public service vehicles should adhere to stipulated speed limits and any behaviour contrary shall be dealt with decisively,” he said.
During the last festive season, the period between December 15 2014 and January 15 2015, a total of 2 251 accidents were recorded. From the accidents 112 were fatal and they claimed 114 lives, while 1 1 33 people were injured and property valued over millions of dollars destroyed.
There will be heavy police presence countrywide to ensure an accident- and crime-free festive season. Police would intensify patrols, carry out stop-and-search blitzes on all residential, industrial, farming and other areas where the public will be undertaking various activities.
The police visibility would also be maintained on the country’s major roads to ensure that travellers are free to move to and from their destinations.
Drivers have been urged to be responsible and adhere to all road rules and regulations