Transport Minister Felix Mhona Gives Stern Warning To Motorists And ZRP
By Desire Tshuma
Transport and infrastructure development Minister Felix Mhona on Wednesday officially launched the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays road safety awareness campaign by warning motorists, public transporters and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to practice due diligence to protect lives during the holidays.
Addressing multitudes of members from different sectors, Mhona said: “No faulty motor vehicle is allowed in roads as we have lost many lives due to accidents caused either by driving under influence of alcohol, faulty vehicles and over speeding. We put police road blocks but some errant police officers instead of arresting such drivers who are driving under influence of alcohol and over speeding, demand bribes and let them pass risking innocent lives.
“To you the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we are also coming after you, some of you will be definitely going to be arrested and lose job because we know how we shall trap you in roadblocks, every accident which might happen we shall trace how it happened, like how did this overloaded motor vehicle pass a police road block,” said Mhona.
The Minister was accompanied by several top government officials including Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, deputy Minister of Transport And Infrastructural Development Joshua Sacco, Harare Metropolitan Minister represented, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe board chairman Mr KK Sibanda and other dignitaries from government and captains of industries.
Kazembe Kazembe the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage also addressed the audience. “I appeal to drivers and their families to plan their journeys and travel times in a manner that allows them to reach their destinations before sunset during this holiday. In addition with the proliferation of smart phones and other electronic devices, destructed driving has become a major issue of concern with regards road safety. In short avoid the use of cellphones and other electronic gadgets while driving,” said Kazembe.
Among the attendees were artists who wrote and passed the defensive driving course who were conferred with Defensive Driving Certificates. These included baba and amai pastor Charles Charamba, Tendai Chimomb and, Albert Nyathi, to mention a few.
According to a 2019 United Nations report, 94 percent of road accidents in Zimbabwe are attributed to human error.
“I also appeal to motorists to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, abide by the stipulated speed limits and service their vehicles at the recommended intervals,” said Mhona.
“It is equally important for motorists to understand that they carry people’s lives in their hands, hence it is imperative that they preserve the sanctity of human life by avoiding recklessness when using roads.”
