SIXTEEN people died while several others were seriously injured in three separate road traffic accidents during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, police have said.
The road traffic accidents occurred in Nyanga, Marondera and Harare.
In Marondera, five people were killed, while three others were injured when a Toyota Iris vehicle carrying seven passengers was involved in a head-on collision with a Freightliner truck on Heroes Day at the 53km peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway.
In Harare, three people were killed and 32 others were injured when a Toyota Hiace kombi carrying 15 passengers side-swiped a Mazda Bongo Van with four passengers on board at corner St Patrick’s and Seke roads in Hatfield on Defence Forces Day.
Subsequently, the Toyota Hiace kombi went on to collide head-on with a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 18 passengers.
In another accident which occurred on Defence Forces Day, five people were killed, while 60 others were injured when a Hino Dutro truck carrying 64 church members veered off the road at the 34km peg along Nyanga-Rwenya Road.
Some passengers were thrown out of the truck, with others being dragged for approximately 30 metres.
The accident occurred as the truck was descending a steep slope at the same time trying to negotiate a sharp curve.
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The injured are admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial, Nyanga District and Regina Coeli Mission hospitals.
Meanwhile, a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 12 passengers overturned, resulting in the death of three passengers along Magadzire-Dazi Road near Nyagoma village.
The vehicle failed to ascend a steep hill and rolled backwards before overturning several times and landing on its wheels.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores drivers to avoid overtaking in situations which are not safe to do so. Church leaders are once again reminded to put in place appropriate means to carry congregants to curb road traffic accidents whenever they are having large gatherings,” national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
“Above all, vehicles, whether public or privately owned, should be regularly serviced, checked and certified fit to be on the roads.”
