Latwell Nyangu
TWENTY five people have been killed in road traffic accidents across the country in the past 10 days.
The accidents are being attributed to human error and violation of road traffic regulations.
The recent accident claimed six lives after a commuter omnibus, which had no certificate of fitness, route authority and mandatory passenger insurance, collided with a haulage truck.
The accident occurred on Monday, at around 1pm, when the kombi was overtaking a Toyota Belta at a curve.
Police have since released the names of one of the victims.
Speaking during a visit to the accident scene, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said:
“In the past 10 days, we lost 25 lives, meaning that there is something wrong on our roads.
“This has affected the President.
“We are no longer going to take this lightly because there seems to be many things which are not being done properly.
“Some transport operators are found without proper certificates of fitness, which is where the problem is emanating from.
“There is recklessness in using our roads.”
He added: “We are working with other ministries, we will sit together and see how we can solve the problem of accidents.
“We are pained by the loss of lives.
“We are emphasising to our police, and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department, that they should deal with anyone found wanting.”
Home Affairs Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, said relevant Government ministries and stakeholders are working together to end the road menace.
“We will start with the police, are they using the right laws so that their job becomes easy?
“We will also look at how these road traffic regulations are being enforced.
“The President is not happy with the rate of accidents.”
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that the death toll from the Passion Link bus, which caught fire along Nyabadza-Gandanzara Road on Sunday, has risen to nine.
