ELEVEN people were killed in a head-on collision at the
118km peg along Harare-Mutare Road in Macheke on Sunday, bringing the
Independence and Easter holidays road traffic accident countrywide death toll
to 30 since Independence Day.
Seven members of the Apostolic Church were among the 11
dead while 183 others were injured in 321 road traffic accidents that were
recorded between April 18 and yesterday morning.
During the same period last year, 26 people were killed
while 153 others were injured in 299 accidents recorded.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi said overtaking errors resulting in head-on collisions continue to claim
lives on the roads.
“As evidenced on April 21, at about 11.30pm, 11 people
perished in a fatal head-on collision at the 118km peg along the Harare-Mutare
road opposite the Grain Marketing Board depot, Macheke, on the way to
Headlands,” he said.
He said a Nissan Caravan with 22 passengers from the
Apostolic Church on board who were coming from a church service in Bazeley
Bridge, Marange, collided with a Honda Fit which had four occupants.
“Preliminary investigations have established that the Honda
Fit was heading towards Mutare while the Nissan Caravan was travelling in the
opposite direction.
“On approaching the 118km peg, the driver of the Honda Fit
encroached into the lane of the oncoming Nissan Caravan while intending to
overtake another vehicle resulting in the head- on collision,” Asst Comm Nyathi
said.
He said all the four occupants in the Honda Fit died on the
spot while the Nissan Caravan overturned once and landed on its roof, killing
seven people on the spot.
He said 16 people were seriously injured and were taken to
Marondera Hospital for treatment.
The bodies were taken to Rusape District Hospital for
post-mortem.
“We urge motorists to exercise extreme caution while
driving and ensure that the road ahead is clear before attempting to overtake.
Where possible motorists are urged to travel during the day as visibility at
night is poor.
“Public service vehicles should not overload passengers
even when they are hired to carry church members. Above all, they should not
speed,” he said.
Meanwhile, police have warned cross-border buses and others
vehicles towing trailers laden with luggage that they will be arrested if they
do not properly secure the trailers.
“Some of the buses are moving with insecure trailers where
the safety chains are loose and normally (detach)from the bus on passing other
motorists,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
He said cross-border bus operators should take the warning
seriously and comply with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act Chapter 13:11
and Road Transportation Act, Chapter 13:15. Herald
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