The Heroes and Defence Forces’ holiday death toll has risen to 12 after six more people perished in separate road accidents yesterday.
Police national spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri said: “We have recorded 179 accidents and of these, six were fatal. The number of people who perished in these accidents has risen to 12 whilst 152 have been injured.”
Police said they had impounded 540 unroadworthy vehicles and also arrested several drivers for drunken driving. Phiri urged motorists to be cautious when driving during this holiday as there would be more traffic on the roads with people travelling to visit their relatives.
“We continue to appeal to drivers, especially of public service vehicles, to ensure that their vehicles are mechanically soundy before they travel and to drive safely on the roads to minimise road accidents,” said Phiri.
Thirty-five people perished just before the start of the holidays in two separate accidents involving commuter omnibuses in Mashonaland Central and Manicaland in a space of two days. In one of the accidents, a Harare family lost seven of its members after an omnibus they were travelling in developed a mechanical fault and crashed along the Harare-Concession Road.
The accident killed 16 people on the spot while three others died on admission at hospital.
