SYDNEY MUBAIWA
CHIREDZI-Transport operators have been urged to stick to road safety and regulations amid increasing road accidents which have claimed young lives in the past few weeks.
Speaking during a memorial service for the nine victims who lost their lives in the recent train-bus tragedy in Chiredzi, District Administration Officer, Patience Mawarire (pictured) said transporters should ensure that they conduct their business within the confines of the law, adhering to road traffic laws and regulations.
“We are calling upon public transport operators to adhere to road safety to avoid similar avoidable accidents.
“This tragedy could have been avoided if the bus driver had stopped at the railway level crossing,” she said highlighting several challenges facing the transport sector, including drugs and substance abuse among other drivers.
She called upon the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to intensify efforts to curb the sale of illegal substances, particularly alcohol beverages commonly known as “mutoriro” and “tumbwa”, being sold at some ranks and other villages.
She said bus and kombi drivers should restore public confidence in the transport sector through adhering to road safety issues especially to avoid over speeding and overloading.
She also expressed appreciation to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for declaring the incident a State of National Disaster and approving State-assisted funerals for the affected families.
The tragedy which involves a Makuku -bound bus and a National Railways of Zimbabwe goods train claimed nine lives leaving 26 injured.
The disaster comes barely a week after the Gweru kombi disaster which claimed seven school pupils.
