Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner General, Godwin Tandabantu Matanga, has announced that police officers will be deployed across the country to ensure safety during the festive season. They will be conducting roadblocks, traffic checks, and patrols to prevent crime and road accidents.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, Matanga emphasised the importance of drivers following road rules, such as avoiding speeding, overloading vehicles, and mixing goods with passengers. He said these measures aim to maintain law and order as people celebrate Unity Day, Christmas, and New Year. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
<h3>COMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF POLICE FESTIVE SEASON STATEMENT ON CRIME AND ROAD SAFETY</h3>
The 2023 festive season is upon us as Zimbabweans and visitors embark on various socio-economic activities to celebrate the Unity Day, Christmas and New Year holidays.
Obviously, the Zimbabwe Republic Police will witness an increase in the flow of traffic on the country’s roads. Road traffic accidents and violations of road rules and regulations take centre stage during this period. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will therefore deploy police officers to conduct roadblocks, traffic blitz, stop and search/motorized, cycle and foot patrols throughout the country to curb crime, road traffic accidents and maintain law and order as the public merry make in the spirit of Unity Day, Christmas and New Year.
My office urges motorists to cooperate with police officers on deployment in order to take action on errant drivers and other law breaches. I have directed all Officers Commanding Police Provinces to ensure that all defective or unroad worthy vehicles are impounded for the safety of travellers. In this vein, no pirate taxis will be allowed to pass through Police check points.
Transporters are implored to play their part in terms of road safety and ensure that their vehicles are certified fit to carry passengers from one place to another. Drivers of both public and private vehicles should not speed, overload or mix goods with passengers, among other road traffic offences.
As the rain season has just started, I plead with the motoring public to exercise caution as some roads are slippery. Motorists should not attempt to cross flooded rivers and bridges to curb drowning incidents.
May I caution Public Service Vehicle Operators, both local and cross border to minimise night travelling as most fatal road traffic accidents are being recorded at night due to vision and observation challenges. For those going on holiday in all parts of the country, let us be alert and safety conscious to curb cases of robbery, murder and other crimes. I therefore, implore families, business people and institutions to avoid carrying or keeping large sums of money at home or offices to curb robbery cases.
The safety and security of children should also be prioritised during this period. As the nation steps up the fight against drug and substance abuse in the country, may I urge the public to continue giving my office information on drug barons and suppliers for the law to take its course.
Parents and guardians should also be on the forefront of safeguarding the youths and adults from the scourge of drug and substance abuse. The Police will also take decisive action against anyone operating unlicensed liquor outlets or shebeens during this period. Owners of liquor outlets are enjoined to conduct their business within the parameters of their respective licences.
My office will also take action on reports of corruption on the country’s roads and other traffic enforcement points by both drivers and Police officers. The public should report any incident of corruption through the National Complaints Desk numbers (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp number 0712 800 197 or any nearest Police Station and take down the particulars of the officer receiving the report.
May I reiterate that there is no room for bad apples in the Zimbabwe Republic Police as we enforce the law without fear or favour. The public should also engage in lawful business activities and effectively contribute towards the maintenance of law and order during this holiday.
Finally, on behalf of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, I wish all Zimbabweans and visitors a crime and accident-free Unity Day, Christmas and New Year holidays.
</blockquote>
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Police Commissioner General Matanga Says Police To Be Deployed Nationwide During Festive Season

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, HONOURABLE F. T. MHONA (MP) URGING MOTORISTS AND ALL ROAD USERS TO EXERCISE CAUTION DURING THE YEAR 2023/2024 FESTIVE SEASON
Fellow Citizens,
The festive season is upon us! Unity Day is on Friday, 22 December 2023, Christmas falls on Monday, 25 December 2023 and New Year is on Monday, 1 January 2024.
I wish to thank all Zimbabweans and visitors to our country during the year 2023 for heeding our call to observe rules and regulations on our roads throughout the year. However, the year 2023 was not without unfortunate incidences on our roads.
Let me express our deep-seated condolences to the families of the deceased and those who got injured in road accidents during the year 2023.
While we have taken time as a Government to commiserate with the families of the deceased and those who got injured during the year, we continue to embolden the deceased families to remain strong during the difficult period of grief.
We however need to take stock of what happened in the year 2023 and avoid a replica of such unpleasant statistics in 2024.
The festive season is characterised by high levels of mobility. Our beloved compatriots from the neighbouring countries will be traversing the motherland, in and out of our borders.
The season is also associated with excessive excitement, as we celebrate the gift of life. Road traffic densities increase at a time when the rainy season is at its peak.
It is during this period that we witness an increase in road traffic deaths and injuries that are way above average.
This is so because of increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic. All these factors increase incidences of fatalities on our roads.
As we travel on our roads, let us avoid the following transgressions among others:
Overspeeding: remember that speed thrills but it klis; Overloading: Disregarding Road signs; multi-tasking, such as drinking or chatting on the cellphone whilst driving; and Driving under the influence of alcohol;
Driving vehicles with defects and worn-out tyres: Driving vehicles fitted with illegal additional headlights; Road rage, Attempting to go past flooded rivers and bridges even with an empty bus; Driving public service vehicles [Those with licenses to transport members of the public] without valid certificates of fitness and other requirements such as valid route authority in terms of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13: 15] and prescriptions of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11]
My Ministry shall deploy multi-stakeholder teams comprising the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, ZRP and VID officials for a full-fledged awareness campaign on road safety.
Enforcement agencies are urged to arrest all transgressors of road traffic laws and refer them for prosecution without fear or favour.
May I remind all transporters who violate Traffic laws that relevant authorities will be ready to enforce the law and if need be, withdraw their operators’ licenses in terms of the law.
We are in the rainy season. Rains can reduce visibility, make our roads slippery and year in, and year out, we have heard of vehicles being swept away by flooded rivers.
We must not attempt to go through flooded rivers and bridges. Let us all take responsibility for our lives and those of others.
We have also observed worrisome behaviour on our roads where when rain commences, drivers start disregarding road rules.
In urban centres, for instance, transgressions such as additional lanes, road jams at intersections, disregarding traffic lights and driving towards on-coming traffic, and creating human-induced gridlocks, are rampant. Let us guard against such tendencies!
As you may be aware, the Government is implementing the ongoing Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 in terms of 51 47 of 2021. A
s you drive, you will witness several detours along our roads including highways. Kindly drive carefully along the detours, as some may be slippery due to rain. Further, observe instructions by those waving flags.
My Ministry made legislative interventions, in the form of Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023, on Speed Limiting and Monitoring Devices Regulations.
I, therefore, call upon all stakeholders, the TSCZ, VID, RMT, Enforcement Agencies, Operators, Operators’ Associations and all relevant players to ensure successful implementation of the regulations and adherence to the timelines set therein.
I wish you all a Happy, accident-free Unity Day, Christmas Day and a Prosperous 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Transport Minister Urges Caution On The Roads During Festive Season | Full Statement

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said a total of 15 people died while 85 were injured in road traffic accidents during the just-ended Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.
According to statistics released by ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the total number of fatal road and traffic accidents recorded during the August holidays in 2023 was 132, down from 163 recorded during the same period in 2022.
However, the number of fatalities recorded during the 2023 Heroes and Defence Forces holidays rose threefold compared with the previous year, that is, from 04 to 12.
The total number of people killed during the holidays this year was less than those killed during the same period in 2022, that is 05 and 15, respectively.
29 people were injured during the 2023 Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, down from 85 injured during the 2022 August holidays. Said Assist Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The recorded statistics show a decrease in the number of accidents recorded from 163 to 132 and an increase in the number of people killed from 5 to 15 and the number of people injured from 29 to 85.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that motorists should be patient on the roads and avoid overtaking when it is not safe to do so.
Motorists should also prioritise the servicing of vehicles to ensure they are fit and secure to carry passengers or goods on the roads.
Drivers should not speed in situations that are not safe to do so.
Above all, drivers should adhere to all road rules and regulations in order to curb the continuous loss of lives through road traffic accidents.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

15 People Die In Road Traffic Accidents During August Holidays

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on 23 January 2023 gave an update on road traffic accident statistics for the period 15th December 2022 to 15th January 2023. Here are the statistics:
15 December 2021 to 15 January 2022
<ul>
<li>Total number of traffic accidents: 2 741</li>
<li>Number of fatal accidents: 113</li>
<li>Number of people killed: 138</li>
<li>Number of people injured: 647</li>
</ul>
15 December 2022 to 15 January 2023
<ul>
<li>Total number of traffic accidents: 2 723</li>
<li>Number of fatal accidents: 108</li>
<li>Number of people killed: 148</li>
<li>Number of people injured: 669</li>
</ul>
Asst Comm Nyathi added:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores drivers to be always cautious on the roads and strive to set appropriate conduct on safety standards to safeguard lives.
Above all, the motoring public is implored to exercise extreme caution on the roads during this rainy season as some roads are slippery and in a bad state.
 Motorists should not cross flooded rivers and bridges to curb drowning incidences.
On the other hand, public service vehicle operators are urged to adhere to speed limits on the country’s roads and stop engaging in highway races while competing for passengers.
The public is advised to report errant drivers on the roads at any nearest police station or call National Complaints Desk number 0242 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will continue to enforce road rules and regulations without fear or favour.
</blockquote>

ZRP Releases Accident Statistics For The Period 15 December To 15 January

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on 6 January 2023 gave an update on road traffic accident statistics for the period 15th December 2022 to 5th January 2023. Here are the statistics:
15 December 2021 to 5 January 2022
<ul>
<li>Total number of traffic accidents: 1 914</li>
<li>Number of fatal accidents: 81</li>
<li>Number of people killed: 102</li>
<li>Number of people injured: 478</li>
</ul>
15 December 2022 to 5 January 2023
<ul>
<li>Total number of traffic accidents: 1 998</li>
<li>Number of fatal accidents: 95</li>
<li>Number of people killed: 127</li>
<li>Number of people injured: 489</li>
</ul>
Asst Comm Nyathi implored motorists to be cautious and adhere to road rules as schools open for the first term and companies resume full operations. He said:
<blockquote>
As alluded to in the Police press statement issued on 27th December 2022, most Fatal Road Traffic Accidents involved private cars.
The festive period has revealed that drivers need to self-introspect and reconsider the way some are driving on the country’s roads.
The bully and unruly driving conduct shown by some drivers should stop in order to save lives on the roads.
Police reiterate that drivers must be observant and concentrate while on the steering wheel to curtail fatal road traffic accidents which have been recorded during the festive season where in some instances pedestrians were hit while standing at bus stops or walking beside the road.
In one of the fatal road traffic accidents which occurred on 18th December 2022, an unknown motorist hit a man aged between 30 and 35 years along 12th Avenue, Bulawayo at around 0200 hours on 18th December 2022. The victim died on the spot and the motorist did not stop after the accident.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that motorists should stop when involved in road traffic accidents, assist the injured if necessary and report all accidents to the Police within 24 hours.
In another accident that occurred on 25th December 2022 at 1945 hours at the 300 km peg along Bulawayo -Victoria Falls Road, a motorist who was driving a Toyota Hilux vehicle with three passengers on board towards Victoria Falls, lost control of the car and veered off the road to the left, where he ran over seven pedestrians before swerving to the right side where he rammed onto a stationary Honda Fit vehicle which had six passengers on board.
The Honda Fit vehicle overturned once and landed on its roof. As a result, three people (two pedestrians and one passenger from the Honda Fit vehicle) died, while 13 others were injured.
Similarly, on 31st December 2022 at 1000 hours, three pedestrians were killed after they were hit by a bus that had veered off the road along Zaka- Nyika Road at the 15 km peg.
As the nation gears up for social and economic activities in the year 2023, the Police implore motorists to be responsible and strive to promote road safety on the country’s roads.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will continue to deploy police officers to curb road carnage and reckless driving conduct on the roads.
The Police need the cooperation of motorists for road safety to be realised in the country.
</blockquote>

Police Release Accident Statistics For The Period 15 December To 5 January

Ninenty-two (92) people died in road accidents during the festive period, that is, from 15 December to 26 December 2022, police have revealed.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that during the same period in 2021, 72 people died in road traffic accidents.
In 2021, police recorded 1 626 road traffic accidents, 62 fatal accidents, 72 deaths, and the number of people injured stood at 337.
In 2022, police recorded 1 285 road traffic accidents, 69 fatal accidents, 92 deaths and the number of people injured stood at 333. Added Asst Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
On Unity Day, 22nd December 2022, a total of 107 road traffic accidents were recorded countrywide, and three (03) of the accidents were fatal, where three (03) people died while 27 others were injured. 
In 2021, 144 road traffic accidents were recorded, with seven (07) being fatal, killing 10 people while 26 others were injured.
On Christmas day, 25th December 2022, a total of 119 road traffic accidents were recorded countrywide, with 10 being fatal, killing 13 people and injuring 89, compared to 187 road traffic accidents recorded during the same period in 2021, with 10 fatal which killed 13 people and injured 35 others.
On Boxing Day, 26th December 2022, 88 road traffic accidents were recorded countrywide, 15 being fatal and 16 people were killed while 19 others were injured, compared to the year 2021 where 103 road traffic accidents were recorded, with five (5) being fatal, seven (07) people killed while 29 others injured.
Most of the road traffic accidents occurred on highways as a result of speeding, overtaking errors, inattention, misjudgment, following too close, and recklessness on the part of drivers, who in most of the accidents recorded were trying to overtake in situations which were not safe to do so, encroached onto the lane of oncoming traffic, straddled the centre lane, showed clear poor observation and control of the vehicles resulting in some hitting pedestrians who were walking on the side of the roads or standing at bus stops.
No major road accident involving public service vehicles has been recorded so far. However, the Police is concerned with the number of private vehicles involved in accidents during this holiday. 
Some of them will be overloaded while others are being used for purposes that are clearly not suitable for such use. 
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has so far impounded 2 159 vehicles for various defects.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges drivers to be cautious and promote road safety on the roads as the holiday continues. 
There is no need for one to be over-excited or reckless on the roads. The Police will continue with the current deployment level on the roads and communities till the 15th of January 2023.
We urge motorists to be responsible on the roads, to self-introspect and to be safety conscious.
</blockquote>

ZRP Releases 2022 Festive Season Accident Statistics

More than 1 500 people have been killed on the country’s roads between January and September this year, a cabinet minister has revealed.
Speaking at the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) in Bulawayo on Saturday, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona expressed concern over the high number of people killed in road traffic accidents. He said:
<blockquote>
This year alone, from January to September 2022, we had 38 776 crashes, 1 559 killed and 7 851 injured.
This translates to a traffic collision every 15 minutes, an average of 45 injuries per day, and an average of five deaths per day.
Friday nights, Saturdays and festive seasons are the worst.
</blockquote>
Mhona said the government is committed to reducing road traffic accidents by 50 per cent under the National Development Strategy 1. He added:
<blockquote>
The carnage on our roads must stop! Surely, it can only be through us that we put an end to the silent killer on our roads.
This is a war we can win as roughly 94 % of road traffic accidents are directly attributed to human error.
A change in human behaviour could therefore easily result in lowering the worrisome statistics.
</blockquote>
WDR is commemorated on the third Sunday of November every year and this year it is being commemorated today, 20 November. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/1559-people-killed-in-road-accidents-this-year/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

1 500 People Killed In Road Accidents This Year - Minister Mhona

153 people die through road traffic accidents in Zimbabwe every month while the country loses US$406 million per year to traffic crashes, a cabinet minister has said.
Announcing the closure of the Mbudzi roundabout in Harare to pave way for the construction of a more modern traffic interchange intersection at the site, Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona said that the country has recorded 40 180 on average per year between 2010 and 2021. Said Mhona:
<blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, the average number of crashes per year between 2010 and 2021 was 40 180 and the average number of people dying as a result of road crashes was 1 858 per year.
Put differently, five people die every day on the roads in Zimbabwe and this translates to 153 persons killed per month.
The country loses about US$406 million annually from an average of forty thousand road traffic crashes every year, and this is estimated to be nearly 3% of GDP.
</blockquote>
Mhona added that globally, 1.35 million people are killed annually in road traffic accidents involving cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. He said:
<blockquote>
More than half of those killed are pedestrians, motorcyclists, or cyclists.
Currently, cyclists and pedestrians make up 43% of road traffic fatalities in Africa.
As motorcycles have become more popular as a relatively affordable means of transport, motorcycle fatalities are also on the rise.
Crash injuries are estimated to be the eighth leading cause of death globally for all age groups, and the leading cause of death for children and young people.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/09/zimbabwe-road-carnage-claiming-five-people-every-day-minister/">ZimLive</a>

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