May I kindly request permission to add a comment on your article “Police, churches, TSCZ join hands to fight road carnage”. This subject is of national importance and deserves the widest public engagement.
Comment:
I sincerely applaud the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the churches in Manicaland, and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) for coming together in this noble and timely initiative to combat the rising tide of road carnage, especially as we approach the festive season. Such unity reflects true national responsibility and leadership.
However, while prayer and awareness are essential, they must be matched by a fundamental change in national attitude. Until we, as a people, genuinely respect the value of human life, these painful tragedies will continue. Reckless driving, speeding, drinking and driving, overloading, and corruption on our roads all point to a deeper moral and social crisis.
There is also an urgent need for stricter enforcement of vehicle fitness laws. Too many lives are being lost in vehicles that are unroadworthy, poorly maintained, or operated by unqualified drivers. A vehicle that is not fit for the road is, in effect, a weapon waiting to kill. Enforcement must therefore be firm, consistent, and free from corruption.
We appeal for tougher penalties for offenders, meaningful inspections that are taken seriously, and zero tolerance for any form of corruption in road safety enforcement. Road safety is not the duty of the police and churches alone, it is a collective national responsibility.
If we do not start protecting life through action, policy, and discipline, we will continue burying our own people. Our roads must no longer be allowed to remain graveyards.
Yours faithfully,
An equally concerned son of the soil,
Reverence Zimunya
