HURUNGWE district administrator Friend Ngirazi has accused corrupt traffic police officers of fuelling road accidents by demanding bribes to allow defective vehicles and unlicenced drivers to pass through roadblocks.
BY NHAU MANGIRAZI
Addressing stakeholders during the launch of a provincial Motor Vehicle Accident Fund in Karoi yesterday, Ngirazi said the high level of corruption among security agencies leaves a lot to be desired.
The initiative is being facilitated by Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe to mobilise resources to compensate accident victims and raise traffic awareness.
“There is deep-rooted corruption in our own police, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), who are not punishing the offenders, but rather are partners in crime. They do not take action even if the vehicles are defective to be on our roads. The level of corruption if not curbed will not see the nation benefiting from such a progressive initiative,” said Ngirazi, who survived a horrific accident that claimed three lives in 2012.
Coincidentally, the car was being driven by a police officer and the culprit had not yet been brought to book over the accident.
“To make matters worse, the investigating officer has been transferred and besides my little ammunition of facts, I cannot do anything to see justice being done,’’ added Ngirazi.
Participants welcomed the move, but called for transparency over the fund. They also said the fund should capacitate hospitals with medical specialists and drugs.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Speaking at the same event, infrastructural development director at the Ministry of Transport, Allowance Sango, expressed concern that most imported vehicles operating as pirate taxis were unregistered.
“If you are involved in an accident in an unregistered passenger vehicle, you cannot be compensated,” he said.
According to the World Health Organisation, road accidents in 2012 accounted for 1,3 million deaths with almost 90% of them in Africa and developing countries.
“We are, therefore, calling on everyone to give an input so that those who are involved in accidents are assisted if they survive. In Zimbabwe, we are losing an average of five lives daily due to accidents that can be avoided,’’ he said.
