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Freeman Razemba–Senior Reporter 

The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has intensified awareness campaigns countrywide following the death of 22 people in a head-on collision involving a Toyota Quantum minibus and a DAF truck along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road on Tuesday last week.

The accident occurred at the 27km peg near Thandweni Store at around 10pm and a further two people were injured and admitted to United Bulawayo Hospital.

In a statement yesterday, TSCZ managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa sent his condolences to the families of the deceased and at the same time urging motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations.

“The board, management and staff of Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe would like to express their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the passengers who passed on during a fatal road traffic crash which occurred on November 14, 2023, at the 27-kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road when a Toyota Quantum was involved in a head-on collision with a DAF Truck.

“We urge motorists to exercise maximum caution especially when overtaking to avoid overtaking errors which often result in head-on collisions. We advise motorists to undertake the proper overtaking drill as stipulated by the Highway Code to ensure safety when ferrying passengers. We also implore transport owners and operators to always employ drivers who possess drivers’ licences and valid defensive driving certificates,” he said.

Mr Munodawafa called upon stakeholders to join hands in a bid to curb road carnage.

“As a Government agency responsible for promoting road safety in our country, we call upon all stakeholders to join hands with us in ending road carnage on our roads. The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has since intensified its road safety awareness campaigns intended to educate the public on the need to preserve the sanctity of human life by doing what is right when using the roads.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, let us all preserve life,” he said.

Last week, President Mnangagwa also sent his condolences to the families of the 22 people who died in the head-on collision accident and also wishing those injured a speedy recovery. The 22 victims will be accorded State-assisted burials.

“The death of 22 Zimbabweans in a head-on collision along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway on Tuesday night left me horrified and heart-broken.”

 “What adds to the horror is that this accident comes barely days after two separate similar ones in which nine innocent lives also perished.

“Zimbabwe does not deserve this at all, let alone such a bloody beginning to this year’s festive season,” he said.

“Government will weigh in by according victims of this horrendous crash State-assisted burial.”

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said accidents only served as a clarion call to all stakeholders of the road traffic ecosystem, including motorists, operators and passengers to be more vigilant against road traffic violations, especially speeding.

“These unfortunate fatalities are recorded as we approach the festive season and it is our hope that such occurrences do not recur. The ministry rallies all traffic law enforcement agencies, road traffic safety actors, motorists and road users to collaborate against road fatalities. We urge the nation to formulate rational decisions in making travel choices and prioritise use of safer vehicles with the right state of mind. 

“Rational behaviours and attitudes are ingredients of a safer road traffic management regime, where all actors play their part for traffic safety. As passionate proponents of road safety, we wish to assure the nation that the Second Republic is committed to the formulation of robust legal, policy and administrative mechanisms to improve the country’s road safety regime and performance,” Minister Mhona said

He said the recent enactment of Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023 on Speed Limiting and Monitoring Devices Regulations and Statutory Instrument 119 of 2023 on Licensing of Drivers Regulations are an eloquent testimony of their commitment. 

“We continue to urge all stakeholders to ensure compliance with the legal framework. The Government, through my Ministry, shall continue to monitor the situation and render appropriate assistance to the bereaved families and survivors of the accident,” Minister Mhona said.