The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will from tomorrow
launch a massive crackdown targeting unlicensed drivers and unregistered
vehicles in a nationwide blitz that will signal the return of roadblocks,
Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has said.
Matanga made the announcement yesterday at this year’s
World First Aid Day commemorations held at Morris Depot, Harare.
He said the days for those driving without licences and
those driving unregistered vehicles were now over.
“By the powers vested in me by the President [Emmerson
Mnangagwa], I would like to warn members of the public that starting Monday
[tomorrow], police will launch a massive operation to get rid of unlicensed
drivers and unregistered vehicles,” Matanga said.
“Those caught on the wrong side of the law will have their
cars impounded, while the law will take its course on unlicensed drivers.”
Traffic police disappeared from the roads during the
military takeover of government institutions that resulted in former president
Robert Mugabe’s ouster in November last year.
In recent months, the police have been slowly returning to
man roadblocks, but their visibility has remained very low resulting in serious
traffic jams in cities such as Harare.
Meanwhile, Matanga said first aid was a necessary tool for
law enforcement agents as they were the first responders during emergencies and
disasters.
“Barely a day passes without police being called to protect
human life during a road accident and other emergencies and national
disasters,” he said.
“We deeply cherish and value the priceless first aid
training services which from time immemorial have been extended to us by the
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society [ZRCS] and has no doubt enabled the ZRP to save
lives.”
Matanga said this year’s commemorations had come against
the backdrop of the high number of deaths and injuries due to road traffic
accidents worldwide.
According to the police boss, a total of 38 620 accidents
were recorded in 2016 in Zimbabwe, with 1 291 being fatal, while last year 42
430 accidents occurred and 1 838 people lost their lives from the accidents.
ZRCS president Edson Mlambo said his organisation valued
the importance of first aid, hence the need for locals to prepare for
emergencies and disasters through sound first aid training.
“Our national statistics indicate a surge in the number of
people trained from the mining sector, private companies, schools and as well
as the uniformed forces as represented by the ZRP,” he said. Standard
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