By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
As the third school term begins across Zimbabwe, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. F. T. Mhona (MP), has issued a heartfelt appeal to motorists and school transport operators to prioritize safety on the roads.
In a press statement released ahead of the school reopening, Minister Mhona highlighted the sharp increase in travel during this period, warning of the heightened risk of road traffic accidents.
He emphasized the need for thoughtful preparations and strict adherence to road safety measures to prevent loss of life.”Every year, Zimbabwe loses approximately 2,000 lives to road crashes, and around 8,600 people are injured,” Mhona revealed.
“This means, on average, we lose 153 lives every month—or five lives and 24 injuries each day.
“The Minister attributed many of these tragic incidents to the use of defective or poorly maintained vehicles and called on both public and private transport operators to ensure all vehicles are roadworthy. He also stressed the dangers of driver fatigue, encouraging motorists to avoid long journeys without adequate rest.”Never embark on lengthy journeys without proper rest and preparation,” Mhona urged.
“By working together, we can significantly reduce road carnage.”Minister Mhona also warned against speeding, overloading, and driving under the influence of alcohol—leading causes of fatal accidents that remain prosecutable offenses.
He reminded all road users that following traffic laws is a shared responsibility.
“I sincerely hope that, by remaining cautious and observant of all road regulations, we can make this school term accident-free,” he said.
To support these safety efforts, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) will conduct joint enforcement operations during the school reopening period.
“Together, let us make every journey safer,” Mhona concluded.