President Emerson Mnangagwa declared a fatal road traffic accident that occurred on the turn-off of Zibalasekwa on Wednesday morning.
The accident claimed seven people’s lives due to the recklessness of a commuter omnibus driver, but included a collision between the Toyota Highas duo, a transportation truck and a UD truck.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mnangagwa announced that a state-sponsored funeral will be given to victims of the accident.
“The government will declare this horrible accident a national disaster and provide national assistance to the victims. I express my sincere sympathy and sadness to the families and relatives who have lost loved ones, and pray for a prompt recovery for all those injured and hospitalized,” Mnangagwa said.
Mnangagwa urged all public transport operators and drivers to be careful, especially when approaching intersections.
“We plead commuter and transport operators to avoid using pick-up and drop-off points at intersections along the road and other dangerous spots, and we appeal to all drivers to take extreme care to the safety of all road users,” he said.
Mnangagwa is further bound by reminding Zimbabwe of one as a signatorial figure of the SADC protocol on transportation and harmonizing traffic regulations that all drivers must respect.
“Remind us everyone that Zimbabwe is a signatories of the South African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Transport, Communication and Weather, which saw Member States harmonize policies, institutions and practices.
This shows the second accident that Mnangagwa declared a national disaster in just two months.
Last month, Mnangagwa declared a Beitbridge accident. The Beitbridge accident promised a state-sponsored burial for 24 lives, a national disaster and deceased people. At the time, the president expressed fear and heartbreak at the tragic loss of life.
The rate at which Zimbabweans lose their lives in accidents is a worrying thing like a recurring nightmare.
They have always been the subject of sharp criticism as authorities have not suppressed the reckless commuters and bus drivers, which are often what they want from a safety and regulatory perspective.
