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Snr Asst Comm Charamba

Crime Reporter
More traffic police officers will be deployed on major roads, while patrol teams will be increased in crime-prone areas during Easter and Independence Day holidays to ensure sanity prevails countrywide, Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said yesterday.

“As we approach Easter and Independence Day Holiday celebrations, the Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to warn motorists and all road users that police officers would be deployed in full force in all the country’s major highways.

“The ZRP would, therefore, like to warn all motorists to observe road rules and regulations and ensure that their motor vehicles are roadworthy for carrying passengers and goods,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said speeding, human error and misjudgement, overloading and defective vehicles contributed to accidents.

“We are appealing to all motorists to drive safely during this Easter holiday as children close schools. Please exercise extreme caution as you drive on the roads,” she said.

She urged motorists to co-operate with police officers when stopped at road blocks in order to avoid inconveniences.

Police would be checking for various traffic violations, targeting stolen motor vehicles, minerals, criminals, cattle rustlers and drug traffickers.

“The ZRP would be working hand in glove with other stakeholders such as the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and Vehicle Inspection Department to make sure the forthcoming Easter and Independence holidays are accident-free. Be warned that Police will impound all unroadworthy vehicles and take them off the road in order to save lives,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

She urged owners of commuter omnibuses to employ drivers permitted to operate vehicles by the law and to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy.

“Please co-operate with the police as they discharge their duties,” she said.

Last year, 30 people died while 229 were injured in 287 road accidents recorded during the Independence and Easter Holidays countrywide.

The accidents were attributed to speeding, vehicle defects, human error and speeding, among other things.

Police impounded 359 unroadworthy vehicles and issued a total of 9 935 tickets for various traffic offences.

During the same period in 2013, 34 people died and 157 were injured in 301 accidents.