The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon Advocate Felix Tapiwa Mhona, has urged all stakeholders involved in school transport operations to undertake careful preparations and prioritize safety at every stage of their services.
Hon Mhona made this call in a Press Statement issued earlier today ahead of the opening of schools tomorrow.
“As the third term approaches and schools prepare to welcome learners back, our nation will see a noticeable rise in travel. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development urges everyone involved in school transport operations to make thoughtful preparations and prioritize safety at every turn. This is a meaningful period for our country, and we must strive to ensure that it remains free from preventable road tragedies,” Hon Mhona said.
The volume of travellers, particularly school children, is expected to surge with the reopening of schools tomorrow, a period historically associated with an increased rate of road accidents.
Statistics from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development indicate that at least 5 people succumb to fatalities every day as a result of road accidents in Zimbabwe.
“Every year, Zimbabwe loses approximately 2,000 lives to road crashes, and around 8,600 people are injured. These statistics mean that, on average, we lose 153 lives every month—or 5 lives and 24 injuries each day,” announced the Ministry through the Minister.
He pointed to the prevalence of unroadworthy vehicles as a significant contributing factor to the country’s disturbing road accident toll.
“Many of these heartbreaking crashes are linked to the use of vehicles that are unfit for the road. I appeal to all public service operators and private motorists to refrain from using defective vehicles and to perform routine maintenance to identify and address potential problems. Likewise, combating driver fatigue is essential; never embark on lengthy journeys without proper rest and preparation. By working together, we can significantly reduce road carnage,” he said.
During the opening of schools period, the high demand for transport services often prompts some operators to deploy unroadworthy vehicles in a bid to capitalise on the lucrative opportunity and generate revenue.
Minister Mhona, further urged motorists to strictly adhere to road rules and regulations as part of broader efforts to enhance safety on Zimbabwe’s roads.
“Drivers must adhere strictly to the regulated speed limits, as speeding remains a leading cause of fatal crashes. Overloading vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol are dangerous, prosecutable offenses and must be avoided at all costs. It is our shared responsibility—not just as motorists, but as citizens and travelers—to safeguard lives by following traffic laws and exercising vigilance on the road. I sincerely hope that, by remaining cautious and observant of all road regulations, we can make this school term accident-free,” he said.
The Minister directed the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) to rigorously enforce existing laws and regulations, taking appropriate action against those found to be contravening them.
“To support these efforts, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) will be conducting joint enforcement operations throughout this period to help prevent traffic injuries and fatalities. Together, let us make every journey safer,” Hon Mhona said.
Transport operators often take advantage of the surge in travellers during the school opening period, exploiting the situation to overcharge passengers seeking urgent transport services.
Many boarding schools hire buses for student transport, a practice that often leaves commuters who rely on public transport services stranded and struggling to secure alternative travel arrangements.
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story by Jeremiah Gora
