Government declares war on reckless drivers especially mushikashika & kombi drivers

GOVERNMENT has launched a nationwide crackdown on reckless driving to end loss of lives due to negligence, said President Mnangagwa.

This follows a horrendous accident that claimed 17 lives, while three people were injured along Harare-Chitungwiza Road on Tuesday.

Some of the victims were buried yesterday, in yet another grim reminder of the carnage on the country’s highways and deaths associated with recklessness on the roads.

Writing on his official X handle on Wednesday night, the President said such occurrences should be prevented at all costs.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the Manyame Bridge accident.

“Seventeen lives were lost in a tragedy that could have been prevented. I’ve declared it a National Disaster.

“Government will cover funeral costs and medical care, and a nationwide crackdown on reckless driving is now underway. This senseless loss of life must end,” the President said.

In his condolence statement, he said the crackdown should be enforced without fear or favour.

Existing rules and regulations, said the President, must now make way for new and more robust measures which deliver results.

“Time has now come to raise the stakes against guilty parties: The costs of bad behaviour on our roads must simply outweigh whatever bizarre benefits those responsible think they derive from reckless driving.

“My directive is to get all Government institutions concerned with traffic enforcement, and our Courts, to be properly aligned on this one matter so this seeming endless, yet avoidable bloody spiral on our roads is brought to an immediate end,” he said.

“We cannot continue to lose lives in this most horrendous way due to sheer recklessness and persistent gaps in law enforcement on our roads.

“Once worked out, these new, strong measures must be applied and enforced across the entire gamut of our institutions concerned with lawful and responsible road use, and should be enforced without fear or favour,” said the President

A father and daughter, Reignford and Shantel Jere, were laid to rest at Zororo Memorial Park yesterday, while another victim, Prodgas Mugere, will be buried today at his rural homestead in Chihota.

In Chitungwiza the funeral procession, which began in Chengaose Street, St Mary’s, was marked by solemn hymns and tearful goodbyes, a painful reminder of the tragic Seke Road crash that claimed 17 lives at Hunyani Bridge.

“What remains are pictures, memories and wounds that the bereaved doubt will ever heal,” said a neighbour during the emotionally charged send-off.

Mr Albert Necheringa, uncle to Jeres, added: “I have lost not only a nephew but a friend, a brother, and that, I believe, will hurt more.”

Mugere’s brother, Moses, who travelled from South Africa for the funeral, said the pain felt “raw and surreal”.

“I came here thinking things might change, but it became worse when I saw pictures of my sister identifying my brother. I knew I had lost my best friend, my only brother, and the soccer coach of our community.”

Prodgas had founded a football academy in St Mary’s, which had helped keep many youths away from drugs and crime.

Upon President Mnangagwa’s announcement of the crackdown, social media was abuzz with users commending the development.

“Thank you, our President, Sir. MTDSRIEP (May their dear souls rest in eternal peace) and Isiah 53:5 for the injured,” said one X user.

Another X user wrote: “Thank you, Mr President, it was horrific, there were families who lost graduates and their graduates were their only hope…”

Creby Mutero expressed his disdain for pirate taxis, commonly referred to as Mushikashika, as they were wreaking havoc on the country’s roads.

“Very sad, President. Vapfanha vemishikashika varikukonzeresa (mushikashika operators are causing chaos on the country’s roads,” he wrote on X.

Speaking at a funeral service held at Doves Funeral Parlour for the deceased in Chitungwiza, Local Government and Public Works Minister Dr Daniel Garwe said plans were underway to get the illegal taxis banned.

“We are going to look into banning mushikashika because they have caused lots of accidents,” he said.
Herald