Manicaland TSC mourns Rusape accident victims
MANICALAND Traffic Safety Committee has sent a message of condolence to families that lost their loved ones in the horrific Rusape bus accident, which occurred last Wednesday killing 46 people and injuring scores of others.
Chairperson of Manicaland Traffic Safety Committe, Mr Zivanai Ngwarati said he learnt with deep sorrow of the death of 46 people from the accident, adding that the loss of so many lives in one tragic incident raised serious questions about the behaviour being exhibited on the country’s roads, especially by public transport operators.
“This could have been avoided but sadly we are always blaming human error and use of vehicles that are not roadworthy or drivers who do not seem to care for passengers’ safety. A lot needs to be done in terms of behavioural change for public transport operators,” he said.
Mr Ngwarati said together with Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba they would visit the victims and families that lost relatives in the tragic accident and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
He urged the responsible authorities to clamp down on bus operators, drivers and road-users who put profit and speeding ahead of the sanctity of life.
“We encourage all road users to take extra caution on the roads to save precious human life.
“Equally, all responsible authorities need to start to walk the talk to tame the rampant lawlessness now prevalent on our highways, and especially on our main roads. There should be a robust response from our traffic enforcement agents whose duty is to enforce a custom of compliance and safety on all our roads,” he said.
He also challenged the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to take the necessary steps to restore the confidence of road users to feel safe when travelling.
“We are happy Government has declared the accident a national disaster, which will help in the mobilisation of funds both for treatment of the injured and assisting the bereaved families,” he added.