High Death Toll on Masvingo Roads Worries Zimbabweans
Masvingo province recorded the highest number with 15 people killed in road accidents while Matabeleland South, which is also linked to South Africa, recorded 11 deaths
WASHINGTON DC — The number of people dying on the roads in Masvingo this festive season continues to rise, raising concern about the state of roads in the province. Provincial Affairs Minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti is now appealing to the government to speedily dualize the Beitbridge-Chirundu road as the death toll in the province outpaces the country’s other regions with 15 people killed since December 15 this year. Police say 74 people have so far been killed on the roads this festive season - up from 64 people who died during the previous period. Though fewer accidents occurred on Christmas day this year compared to last year, 10 people died on Thursday compared to 8 last year. Police statistics also indicate that most roads linking to Beitbridge border post record the highest numbers of accidents and people killed. Masvingo province recorded the highest number with 15 people killed in road accidents while Matabeleland South, which also has a road linking to South Africa, recorded 11 deaths. Manicaland recorded 9 deaths and Harare has so far recorded 10 deaths. Mashonaland East, which has roads linking to Forbes and Nyamapanda border posts recorded 10 deaths. Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North recorded 5 deaths each while Mashonaland Central has managed to contain the road carnage, recording only one death. The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is urging motorists to drive with caution, as the death toll on the roads this festive season continues to rise. Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi says human error is the major contributory factor to the road traffic accidents. Bhasikiti says Masvingo is the country’s commercial passage and its roads must therefore be prioritized.