Let’s strive for a peaceful festive season

THE festive season is upon us and understandably people will, as expected, be in the usual high spirits as in some quarters there will be a lot of gallivanting and merrymaking.

Others will be travelling to various holiday destinations while some will make a bee line to their rural homes to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

It is therefore crucial at this moment in time to say while we understand the euphoria that characterises the festive season despite the economic challenges the country is going through, it is important that holiday makers, revellers and travellers should not lose sight of the fact that there is no room to act recklessly especially on the country’s roads where traffic will be at its peak.

What we have observed over the years is that during the festive seasons while some people will be enjoying their holiday, a number of overzealous malcontents either on the country’s roads or in communities will with devastating effects be causing havoc to the innocent holiday makers.

We say so because there are motorists who let the euphoria get into their heads and start driving with reckless abandon in the process causing serious injuries and in worse off cases fatalities.

We therefore call upon the motorists to exercise caution on the roads to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

Last year during the same period a total of 136 people died in nearly 1 400 separate road traffic accidents recorded countrywide during the festive season, police said then. That was the period stretching from 15 December 2018 to 1 January 2019 and that saw accident deaths increasing by 47 from 89 recorded during the previous festive holiday.

We agree with the police who have always advised members of the public that there is a need for responsible behaviour on our country’s roads in order to curb the carnage as accidents are usually attributed to drivers’ disregard of road regulations, speeding and driving unroadworthy vehicles.

The police and other law enforcement agencies should keep an eagle’s eye on the roads

they should look out for defective vehicles and if found impound them immediately. As for drunken drivers the police should not hesitate to throw them into cells and take them out when sober.

Christmas is also a time of giving, where charitable hearts should be displayed in undiluted measure. For a number of families, the year was a tough one economically with many having forgone most niceties that they used to enjoy. We take this opportunity to implore the country’s citizens to be charitable. To love and to give to those who are less privileged in our communities.

We want to commend churches and other philanthropical organisations for the spirit of giving that they have been showing over the years. It is that spirit that we want to see continue. Violence, grudges and recklessness should not be allowed to take precedence over the love for one another and a display of humanity.

The spirit of ubuntu and moral uprightness should never be allowed to falter. It should not be sacrificed on the altar of drunkenness and penchant to stir trouble.

Having said this we take this time to wish every Zimbabwean a Merry Christmas. Enjoy yourselves and stay out of trouble.