Qiliho calls on road users to be vigilant
Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho has called on all road users to always be vigilant by showing maturity with a positive attitude. His comments come in light of a recent road accident which claimed the life of Lekima Devanua of Vuda. He was hit by a bus on Saturday and died a day later in his hospital bed.
A statement from Police said the victim was allegedly drinking with friends when he decided to come home. He went to the road to stop a bus but instead went onto the middle lane and was bumped by the bus.
The driver had been questioned over the weekend and released.
Brigadier-General Qilio said: “It calls for maturity and respect from all road users whether they are vehicle drivers or pedestrians.
“It is important that we all have a positive attitude and to always be careful to look after ourselves when on the road.
“In this case it developed into a fatal situation because alcohol was involved and unfortunately we are losing lives, lives that should not be lost as such.”
Brigadier-General Qiliho said all road users, pedestrians and drivers alike should carry themselves well and refrain from consuming alcohol if they intend to travel.
“It is appalling that we are booking a great number of drunken drivers and taking them off the roads,” he said
“Drunk driving continues to grow even though we have been making a significant number of arrests. “Every week we are remove drunken people, who are not obeying the road rules.”
Police statistics revealed that on July 27 and 28 there were seven drunk and drive arrests. On July 28 and 29 and 10 drunk and drive arrests were recorded and on July 29 and 30 July there were six drunk and drive arrests.
The brother of the late Mr Devanua, Josua Sito, said: “It can really lead to a lot of tragedies.
“Do not go to the roads when you are drunk. It's better if you stay at home. You will at least be safe.” Mr Devanua, 49, leaves behind two brothers, two sisters, nieces and nephews who can only mourn his untimely passing.
The news of his passing has come as a shock, especially to Mr Sito. They were together the night before.
Mr Sito was filled with grief and regretted the next day when he heard that his brother was involved in an accident and had been rushed to the hospital.
He was called on Sunday morning to be told of his brother's untimely death.
“The doctor said that he passed away at two in the morning,” he said.
“It's a big loss for me because we were are always together in the village. We had so many enjoyable moments together and we were always smiling.”