Friday, March 29, 2024

President Sata sends condolences to families of 53 deceased road traffic accident victims

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Zambia Army personel at the scene of the accident and people look on
Zambia Army personel at the scene of the accident and people look on

President Michael Chilufya Sata has sent a message of condolences to the families of the fifty three [53] people who have died in a road accident involving a Lusaka-bound bus which collided with a truck in Chibombo area this morning.

In a statament released to the media by his State House Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah, President Sata said that he was extremely saddened at the loss of more innocent lives in yet another road accident relating to public transport.

“Allow me on behalf of my Cabinet, the First Lady and indeed on my own behalf to convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” the Head of State said.

“We pray that the Lord almighty grants the bereaved families comfort and strength during this very painful period.”

President Sata said that it’s regrettable that the country has continued to lose valuable citizens through fatal road accidents.

The President has directed the Zambia Police Service and the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) to promptly step up their actions to arrest the situation.

The Head of State wished several injured travellers a quick recovery.

And Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has said that Government has received with shock and horror the death of over 50 people in a road traffic accident involving a Post bus, a Land Cruiser and a truck on the Great North Road in Chibombo area of Central Province this morning.

In a statement to the media Mr Sakeni said that the accident was a national tragedy of immense grief and sorrow.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Zambia, I convey deep-felt condolences to the bereaved families on this tragic and untimely loss of lives,” the statement read.”

“As a nation, we pray to God Almighty for strength and comfort as we go through this sad and painful loss. We also wish the injured a quick and full recovery”

Mr Sakeni further said that Government was deeply concerned about the frequent road fatalities on the Zambian roads and will not rest in ensuring that tragedies of this nature are minimized.

He urged the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RATSA) and other law enforcement agencies to work closely with motorists and other road users in ensuring that traffic rules and regulations are observed in order to make our roads safer.

The Post Bus that collided with a Truck
The Post Bus that collided with a Truck

Meanwhile, Passengers, Pedestrians and Cyclists Association (PAPECA) president Lawrence Kaoma has called on government to quickly increase the third party insurance scheme to adequately help road accident victims.

Mr. Kaoma said the current amount of about KR60, 000 per event was not enough to meet the challenge that victims of road accidents have to face.

He has therefore advised that the amount be raised to about KR75, 000 per person.

He said having such an amount in place would not only assist the families of the victims to benefit but also compel road users to take care on roads and not to put people at unwarranted risk.

Mr. Kaoma said it was saddening that a lot of people died in a road accident in Chibombo.

He has since conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

Recently, government revealed plans to establish a road fund accident to help facilitate compensation to victims and meet their financial and medical requirements.

Most road traffic victims faced challenges such as permanent physical disability and loss of employment.

133 COMMENTS

    • Ba president we are tired of press statements from challah please come out and show a human side of u . If I were u I would have gone to the scene if accident

    • BA KATEKA,IMFWA SHAFULA.BUSHE ISHI NGANGA MWENDA NASHO.NI NCHITO NSHI SHIBOMBA??INE DEMITWISHIKA.BA LESA BAKULU,SHI IMILOPA SHI LA SO SA.MWAFYENGE IMYEOO ISHINGI.TOO MUCH INNOCENT SOULS.THIS IS NOT A NORMAL ACCIDENT.THERE ARE TOO MUCH COVONS AROUND THE NATION WERE INNOCENT BLOOD ARE CALLED.FELLOW ZAMBIANS WE NEED TO PRAY…………

    • Lord help us! How long are we going to cry & continue paying this heavy and unnecessary price of having;
      1. Narrow but extremely busy national highways?
      2. Poor signage on our roads?
      3. A Link Zambia 8000 road development programme which is more popular than the ACTUAL road WORKS ON THE GROUND?
      5. Unlicensed & unroadworthy passenger vehicles on our roads?
      6. Irresponsible bus and truck drivers who spend nights in night clubs & hours later are entrusted with innocent lives of others on the road? I mourn, I mourn I mourn…

    • Our dear president doesn’t use tragic circumstances for political gains okay; are you going to sleep tonite if he makes a statement?

    • What kind of man is Sata, he couldn’t drive to Chibombo or Liteta hospital to witness & mourn with people?
      He has to send message, which he didn’t even intend himself?
      One day we will hear Sata addressing from a video entitled “..Message from the Dead”.

    • Somebody asked me to apologize, for including politics, that’s alright I will do so, and make peace with my God.
      If any family or friends affected in that tragedy are offended in anyway, I APOLOGIZE. Kambone mutima.
      But remember that we are different people, and we mourn in different ways.

      Some one just sent a worker to announce his feelings, and that’s the way he decide to mourn. We are different peoples. Muno chalo mwandini!!
      – And now we got more respectful pictures. Not those of the departed, that was wrong, nichi tamu fwa imwe.

    • I love you Mr President but mwandi apapena kwati I dont agree with you.You can’t send a message of condolences through your PA a tragedy which has happened a few miles away from your house. The message would be more louder if you personally drove to chibombo yourself.Am not trying to be political but am very sad….these are the times I miss FTJ….MHSRIP…..I know very well how it feels to lose a beloved one….May God comfort those that have lost their beloved one.Leza ayenamwe.

    • DRIVING IN ZAMBIA IS SO POOR AND THIS IS BECAUSE THERE ISN’T MUCH THEY LEARN AT ANY DRIVING SCHOOL. IN FACT MOST JUST LEARN TO DRIVE IN THEIR BACKYARDS (WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTOR) AND RUSH TO GO AND GET THEIR DRIVING LICENSES AND MOSTLY THROUGH BRIBERY OF ALL OFFICERS INVOLVED. HERE ONE ONE READS BOOKS ON DRIVING FIRST BEFORE HE/SHE SIT A WRITTEN EXAM. IT’S AFTER PASSING THAT WRITTEN EXAM THAT ONE CAN ADVANCE ON TO PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS WITH A HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND REGISTERED INSTRUCTOR. ZAMBIA SHOULD START THE SAME PRACTICE IF MANY LIVES HAVE TO BE SAVED IN ZAMBIA. OTHERWISE, FORGET- WE STILL HAVE MORE TO DIE ON ROADS. SIMPLE THINGS LIKE NOT DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE WITH A HONE (HOOTER) ARE NOT FOLLOWED, ETC.

    • A LEADER WHO MOVES WITH SANGOMAS ,WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN IN A NATION??OPEN YOUR EYES PIPO.THIS MAN HAS UN ARGUMENT HE PUTS BEFORE SACRIFICING HUMAN BEGINGS.THIS ARGUMENT IS THAT THE PIPO ELECTED HIM SO HE IS DOING IT FOR HE NEEDS BLOOD FOR POWER.IF NOT ,LET HIM REJECT ALL THE SANGOMAS HE IS MOVING WITH.THIS IS TERRIBLE……..

  1. What we need in Zambia is to make all highways dual carriageways. Accidents will be mininised. Unfortunately there are other problems such drunk driving, issuing drivrers licenses to people who have not undergone driving training and testing, allowing vehicles that are not roadworthy to be moving freely on the roads, and trafffic rule violations are rife and in most cases, go unpunished. The government is careless and irresponsible, and the road agency is toothless. In short, there’s no system in Zambia. As long as we do not deal with these issues, we will continue dying in numbers, which is a shame. I long for a time when Zambia is going to have responsible, caring,and selfless leaders who can turn things round and make Zambia a better and safe place for all. This is bad; it hurts! Zambia

    • @ Zambian I agree with you entirely. I recently passed thru that area and the road is okey. So this accident can only be blamed on the drivers.

    • @oga, just because the road has no potholes doesnt mean its okay. I dont think think this accident had anything to do with drinking. Compared to south African highways, our mother Zambia’s highways are just narrow. We need dual carriageways.It is what has reduced highway accidents in many developed countries.

    • 50 Cent

      We know the roads are narrow. So what do we do with that knowledge? We drive like they are wide. Aint that stup.d!

    • This is a good idea for Zambia. The main roads need to be dualized so head-on crashes are almost impossible. Building better roads would also employ more Zambians, make the movement of goods through the country easier, safer and cheaper, and thus improve business and the economy for all Zambians. Yes, drunken driving is a problem that can’t be solved by better roads, but if the police weren’t tied down investigating and responding to road-related accidents they’d have time to patrol and arrest drunk drivers too.

      God bless the victims today, and God comfort their survivors. But once the funerals have been completed and the accident fades from the news, may God put steel in the spines of Zambian politicians to get those roads fixed so this never happens again.

    • SATA THE SATANIST,YOU WILL NOT GO WITH THIS ONE.YOU CAN CHEAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT SPIRITUAL MINDED.YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND YOU KNOW WHATS HAPPENING AROUND THE NATION.ALL THESE STRANGE DEATHS IS BECAUSE OF YOUR HUNGER FOR POWER.TELLING YOU ONE ON ONE,BABBA WE ARE TIRED.ITS BETTER YOUR SOUL….THAN ALL THESE INNOCENT BLOOD.

    • Dual carriage is no solution my friend, drivers just need to be responsible on the roads. In Finland, a developed country only has short distances of dual carriage ways and are only when entering and leaving big cities and you hardly hear about accidents because drivers are very responsible and abide by the road traffic rules. For as long as drivers are irresponsible on the roads be it dual carriage ways, people will continue to perish on the roads, unfortunately!

    • Not the worst but definately one of the worst, remember the Jafero bus which killed 57 passengers in Eastern Province??? Which was eventaully banned from operating ??. Sad indeed. May Their Souls Rest in Peace.

  2. I wonder how the accident happened; as in who was trying to do what on the road to have sent our brothers and sisters and parents to the grave so untimely! May their souls rest in peace. This is really a National tragedy …

    I guess quickening up the construction of the Lusaka – Ndola Dual Carriage way can be very helpful in further reducing Head-on collisions. This is really bad for our nation!

  3. At the very minimum PLEASE let us have overtaking lanes constructed right through the main road if the dual carriageway request is too much to ask. That way drivers will anticipate overtaking opportunity and do so safely. Is that really too much to ask? Are we waiting for “important” people to be affected before we really run to “arms”???

    • My brother you are right. We are not asking for too much, just another lane on each side of the road while they continue using helicopters to avoid there frail, old and useless faces to be seen in public.

  4. The Zambian people are still expecting much Mr Presidents let it not just end with the message of condolences.You are the man, that’s why you were voted into power please deliver.My condolences..

  5. We are sick and tired of apologies from the government every time there is such a tragedy. They are able to find monies for sports events (i.e. US$90,000.00 per person promised to Chipolopolo had they won the AFCON 2013) and when it comes to real investments or serious projects like expanding the existing roads all we hear are stories. They now use helicopters and planes locally to avoid traffic while the ordinary Zambian who pays tax is dying every day from road traffic accidents. Sad!

    • Ah!!!!!!!!!!! If this was a high school debate, I would scream at the top of squicky voice: POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Improving roads is just one of the factors. Drivers operating public transport and haulage trucks also need proper training.

  6. Sata should not just talk without assuring the nation on the way forward. We need a duel carriage way on that congested road. There are just too many busses overspeeding on that road. Our leaders can just see this simple thing. To be born and led by current crop of leaders in Zambia is really a sin.

    • The futility in the oldman’s approach I see is when he directs the RTSA and other agencies to step up. What he should do is ask them to present a plan to him to solve the problem. What we often forget is, people in RTSA grew up under conditions that cause these problems, just like most of us. It is hard to solve even the simplest problem with the mentality you had when it was created.

      An approach that asks for a plan that should be subjected to scrutiny would help. I personally see a lot more than just wide and multiple lane highways. I see stup.d drivers who refuse to appreciate that speeding on narrow Zambian roads can have fatal consequences.

      We need constant bombardment of education on road safety, in addition to all other measures.

  7. Really sad a friend of mine was on that bus, he died on the spot. He was based in Botswana but had dealings in zambia. Thomas Mwale rest in peace. I extend my word of sympathy to families of all who lost their lives at that accident. I wish all who are injured speed recovery.

    • We are saddened by the untimely demise of a great family friend, Mr Thomas Mwale. We lived and worked together in Francistown in Botswana. He was a kind hearted and humble gentleman. We will greatly miss him and may his soul rest in eternal peace. Word of sympathy to other families who lost loved loved ones as well as those recovering in hospitals. We wish them speedy recovery.

    • That man was my Father, his lose has shall forever be felt. Mr President Sata I hope you feel our pain and experience it too, you are a heartless man and I wish it your were in that bus and not my father or anyone else.The funds you promised for the families of the deceased have still not been received to this day. You are a lair and heartless man.

  8. The whole system is rotten.What is needed by the able government is to put in a strong legislation on offenders eg causing by dangerous driving to be un bailable.

  9. This is tragic ! Our prayers go to the families of the departed. Now this is what I say we need to prioritize, build safer roads than waste time dreaming about an electric train.

  10. THis I think is the worst road accident we have ever had. A national mourning day would be appropriate. There was one when 89 miners died in Mufulira. The Lusaka Ndola road is one of the country’s busiest and as such it needs to be a dual carriageway. The 53 who have left us should die for a cause. The Lusaka Ndola road needs urgent attention.

  11. May the Lord open the spiritual eyes of every believer in Zambia so that prayers are prayed effectively in Jesus name by understanding the victory that Jesus obtained over Zambia 2000 years ago, all these occurrences and similar occurrences do not take God by surprise because he already defeated and overcame them on the cross of calvary, he is just looking for Christians,intercessors to stand in the gap even before anything happens,to pray in the spirit and cancel and stop the evil in Jesus name as the Holy Spirit reveals all the evil intended for Zambia. Victory is guaranteed in Jesus name. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross was not in vain. Eph 1:17-20.

    • Some people around the world build better and safer roads. You on the other hand think what is required is a prayer? Africans – how naff could you possibly be? Jesus this Jesus that, God this God that, prayer this, prayer that! What sort of God relies on some random human in order to get off his backside & do something? Doesn’t this surely tell you something about this Jesus crap? Wake up – how long are you going to remain stupid?

  12. Very irresponsible driving (most of the times). Please it is time you made dual carriage ways on all inter provincial roads. This may not be the last, sadly. God forbid. May the Lord comfort all families.

  13. YES, WE NEED DUAL CARRIAGE WAYS NOW!

    AND FELLOW ZAMBIANS, WHY DO WE LIKE WATCHING DISASTERS LIKE THAT? HOW DO YOU SEE THAT AND GO TO BED TO SLEEP AT NIGHT?

    WE NEED TO STOP ICIMPWENA!

    • I agree.
      You can see people standing by watching. Who are they waiting for? This nation does not seem to have a sense of heroism. There might be a person under there whose survivor may have depended on just a slight move but you see the majority filepwenekesha.

  14. This is unacceptable and can not be allowed to continue, does it need the entire cabinet to perish in a road accident for someone to take action.

  15. in zambia,it takes peoples’ lives in order for authorities to act .i hope this tyme,they wil work up and put up a dual carriage way from ndola to livingstone and from kapri to nakonde.We dont need to wait for a tragedy to happen.lets change the way we do thingz.

  16. APPROPRIATE PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE! I am inclined to think that this would have been the best time for the President to step into the presidential chopper and hop to the accident scene, and hospitals to console the injured. Chibombo and Kabwe are too close to Lusaka and State House. The President, or indeed other top Government leaders could have been at the accident scene minutes after the report was released. Going to the accident scene when it happens, and witnessing the gruesome nature of these road accidents can also have the desired effect of making the President to push for reforms that can go a long way in reducing the road carnage on Zambian roads. That way people would truly appreciate that their leaders are with them in times of great calamities such as this. Actions speak…

  17. Cont… APPROPRIATE PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE! Promptly going to the accident scene when it happens, and witnessing the gruesome nature of these road accidents can also have the desired effect of making the President to push for reforms that can go a long way in reducing the road carnage on Zambian roads. That way people would truly appreciate that their leaders are with them in times of great calamities such as this. Actions speak louder than words!

  18. RDA MUST CONSTRUCT OVER TAKING LANES AT ALL BENDS AND BLACK SPOTS ALONG THE STRETCH. FROM LUSAKA TO NDOLA. THIS CAN BE DONE WITHIN A YEAR WHILE THEY PLAN FOR THEY FOR DUAL CARAIGEWAY.

    • All I hear most is Lusaka to Ndola dual carriage. What is more important about that route than other routes? Does those trucks with copper offloads in Lusaka or is that route only have buses? Stupid people & leaders will always think to develop only their areas without thinking that all part of the country need equal development. Stupid people and leaders will think they are only ones who pays tax. Stupid people and leaders will think they are important than others.

      May I pass my condolences to all Zambians and non Zambians who have lost their beloved ones in all parts of the country and wish a quick recovery to those who survived in Chibombo accident and those laying in hospitals in all parts of the country.

  19. Very shallow statement! Does this dude understand that he is the PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA? Learn to speak for the nation…..On behalf of the First lady, my cabinet and indeed on my own behalf……..what a load of crap!. As the President of Zambia you are supposed to reassure the breaved families that the WHOLE NATION is grieving with them. As President you speak for the Nation!

    • Very good point. It is apparent that George Chellah is running the show and that is the best you get out of Zambia. ‘And indeed on my own behalf’, is all you hear from the president in addition to the swearing-in ceremonies.

    • The man is always half a sleep and in pain. These Indians are touching wrong things. The man needs strong pain killers to start thinking like a Head of State. We likely to see Dr Kaseba running the show. This explains why uncle Chikwanda has put her on payroll.

    • Apparently his way forward is to let the RTSA take the appropriate measures to reduce road accidents. Does RTSA even know what their job is? This is something that a President needs to take a lead in comforting the bereaved families and also finding a solution to avoid such deaths. We clearly have a government that does not care about it’s people. But then again, the President could be bed ridden and unable to talk to the public. The mystery and drama of Zambian leadership continues.

  20. Let now our GRZ take action over this issue people can not be dying like this. Dual carriageway is needed Kabwe to Lusaka many people have perished between Lusaka – Chibombo. Where about in Chibombo area?

  21. Get serious. SATA. why is sata sendinag this ka young boy to speak. is sata a litunga that he speaks through a third party. Be seriouses you Sata

  22. If our Government cannot afford to construct a dual carriageway its better to give to a private company . And they introduce pay toll that so.

  23. The main problem is our roads,they are in a very deplorable state,one example is the Solwezi-Chingola-Kitwe highway.People are driving there vehicles in a zig zag manner trying to avoid the huge potholes or craters on the road.Why is RDA/NFRA taking long to announce the Kitwe-Chingola Dual Carriage way.Why is RTSA just concentrating on patrolling the Lusaka Roads, with all those patrol cars parked during the weekend instead of patrolling the high ways.Here on the copperbelt we see those timber transporting trucks in a deplorable condition not fit for our roads and yet they are allowed to be moving on the roads,who owns these trucks?These are some of the solutions to reducing accidents.

    • Such a shameful waste of life. I use the Kitwe-Chingola road to and from work every day. I kid you not when i say that i pray when driving. The section at the railway line is just absolutely awful. Even these monstrous tracks, which i believe are responsible for ruining the roads have to zig-zag to avoid the huge ditches that are now a permanent feature of the road!! And the road itself, were there is still tarmac leaves much to be desired. We cannot pay all many of tax meant for use by the RDA and still have single-lane ‘highways’ This is in addition to speeding and over-taking along curves and the like. Natuka pokola busy harassing car owners while the tracks carrying logs go scot-free – no brake/parking lights and other infringements

  24. HE CNP should have personally delivered this message through a press conference instead. Even when we won the Afcon last year, instead of welcoming the boys at the airport he was campaigning elsewhere. I’m sure even you PF people should be disappointed.

  25. This is a national disaster, why isn’t the President on the scene of the accident as a leader in morning? Shame on this Government, even when you needed the most by your people, all you send is a piece of paper! Who is the commander in chief of Zambia and i thought even Guy Sctote houses a national disaster unit under his office… Shame! Shame! Shame! on this Government, only good for your selves! Remember we are the people that put you in power inclusive our brothers and sisters that have left us today, yet it seems our cries are not loud enough to bring you out and morn with the rest of us. Shame on you ba PF (Pathetic Fagots)

  26. Mother zambia mourning again,just like in 1993.M.T.S.R.I.P. I totaly agree with those with idea of dual carriage way.this is pro clive chirwa should be encouraged we need to resusitate the rail transport.max you asked which we?everyone thay voted for ba sata for president is we

  27. Police/RATSA, Start body identification and publication of names the press coz this happened in the morning. ZAMPOST should have details from thier ticket sales. May the Souls our dear ones rest in peace

  28. i have said before these deaths are as a result of the corruption at RTSA imagine a few weeks ago we had panji kaunda maning a road block at kabangwe when RTSA was busy issuing drivers licenses to un deserving drivers.Accidents are made and initiated at RTSA and are taken on our roads for implementation, those traffic officers are now happy with this tragedy because they have been told to increase patrols and road blocks in short to increase their corrupt behaviour.can we clean up RTSA and ZP traffic, PSV licenses to undserving and under age drivers

  29. 2 Chronicles 7:14
    if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seekmy face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

    • And since that was written, no land has ever been healed. Don’t you think that is a tough proposition for any nation?

  30. It was horrible I have seen on the site. i was returning from kufwe to Lusaka it was terrific. my condolence to families and i pray for the peace for souls. Extremely sorry.

  31. Appealing to RATSA and POLICE to step up their effots. That is an oldage saying which will never improve the mode of travel in Zambia and bring safety to the public. This is because Mr Sata is too old for modern methods of travelling where dual carriage and high ways are used in long distances and supplimented by efficient rail line system. Zambians were warned the old man has only been good at recalling his fellow old folk who currently account for over half his government. There will never be any changes in Zambia until new thinking and innovative governance takes place.

  32. I just diod defensive driving the other week at work in conjuction with Industrial training centre(itc). we did three days of theory and practicals on the road. even after i have been driving for 8years, i looked like i knew very little of driving. and thats were most of our drivers are at the moemnt. theres no defensive and courtesy on our roads, everyone is rushing, no patience no order. especially PSV drivers are the worst culprits and these are the results. I wish the RTSA can make it difficult to get a licence till someone does defensive driving course and passes the stiffer tests to be allowed to drive esp PSV’s.

  33. My fellow Zedians please lets begin a petition to have the road from L/Stone to Chingola upgraded to a dual carriage road with very wide lanes only then can these unfortunate events be avoided/mininised. Otherwise my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones may God comfort you I this trying time.

    Yo brotha
    Umublacks

  34. Am so mad right now that so many innocent lives have been wasted and at the moment i wouldn’t mind if they came up with humps even on motor ways because this just has to stop now, we’ve lost enough lives already. Now is the time for our engineers to stand up and be counted, come up with something that would help curb these road deaths.
    Am a PF support but if they don’t put their act together on this issue am afraid we are going to part ways.

  35. This govt has promised solution already,dual carriage road from Chingola up to livingstone,just drive carefully before that.The president does not cause or prevent accidents,you do

  36. By the TEARS and GRIEF vested in me, I now declare SEVEN DAYS OF NATIONAL MOURNING in honor of those who perished in the Chibombo Disaster on 7 February 2013.

    I hope we hear a statement to this effect from government – but if we don’t, ALL Zambians and grief-stricken humans within and outside Zambia: you can join me in the CITIZENS’ DECLARATION OF NATIONAL MOURNING.

  37. This is what happens when a country’s policing machinery is more politically inclined than being professionally inclined.This would not happen if police were doing their job of ensuring safety of vehicles.The police are most interested in hunting and disrupting the opposition than policing unsafe vehicles.

  38. This is a national tragedy. Our prayers go to the families that lost loved ones. This is where a day of national mourning is called for. 53 human lives lost! Not just for old retired politicians dying of old age , you call for 3 days national mourning!

  39. LT this is not good, it takes a lot for one to post a comment and all you do is black it out. Ist that nawadays you only allow one comment from president and million from anti president.

  40. many upnd puppies are condemning president sata with very shallow and emotional thinking. One lumpen pours scorn on the president for saying ‘on behalf of the first lady, my cabinet.’ whats wrong with that? OBAMA says that countless times when addressing important national issues, he actually calls out his wife by name so whats your problem?
    Hatred and petty jealous wont take your small upnd party anywhere.

  41. Please ,please, please i say please Bwana Sata for how long are we going to lose innocent people because stupid drivers in zambia,the trafic officers are corrupt,can we enforce the speed limit if the drivers dont obei revoke their driving licence enought is enought we are not goint to lose people every time because of money,kolera killing people,kabolala killing people,drivers killing people, Breweries killing people,corruption to get a drivers permit killing people its time to put pumps in the all zambian road from livingistone to kasumbalesa i forget one more thing Bakabolala killimg people Sata do something before its too late.

  42. All countries have bad drivers, but if you have wider and better constructed roads the probability of head on collisions are less.

    This is the 21st century and we are still using the same roads used in the 20th century plus our police system is so corrupt.

    I do not even think Zambia weighs all the commercial trucks or anything towing a third wheel that goes through Zambia’s roads. If we collected revenue from all trucks going through our country we can build better roads and be able to maintain them.

  43. Why do Zambians comment out of ignorance? Why are people blaming truck driver or even postbus driver? They are both innocent victims. The one who caused this accident is one muzungu in a landcruiser who was overtaking truck, ran out of space to get back to lane hit into truck as he tried to squeeze himself in front of it. He lost control, ended up on field , caused truck to loose control and hit into bus. So get ur facts right before u mouth diarrhoea like is norm in Zambia!!! Even now people commenting ignorantly on Soya. Go do your own research and get informed on the truth about Soya!!!!

  44. And the sad thing is the muzungu who caused the loss of 53 lives survived himself!!!! He should have died for his stupidity at least!!! You see it all the time, drivers that take unnecessary risks overtaking, thinking everyone else who is not overtaking is stupid!!! Who of you on this site has not overtaken stupidly especially on the Lusaka kitwe road? See it all the time. So the next time you overtake, remember how this muzungu has cut off 53 lives by his stupidity!!! Drive carefully on our roads, we know the type of roads we have. South Africa despite the highways has one of the highest road carnage statistics in the world. So its not how wide the roads are, but attitude!!! And stop this Nigerian-movie-influence of attributing every accident to sacrifice. Its simply bad driving!!!

  45. Blame it on Sata.He’s distracted the police force to hunt his political enemies than enforcing traffic rules for citizen’s safety.

  46. the president is only human.. meaning! just like any one else he is’nt perfect…
    thats why we have to be tolarent when need be and supportive when need be.. its almost as though its a culture for us zambians to focus on the negative aspects of our leaders without looking at their efforts and chalenges.
    now! blaming our president for this tragic accident.. thats just unfair and imature.

  47. Wanu ngwee, it is true the state of our roads is pathetic. We as a nation need to realise that good roads can actually contribute to the reduction of accidents. Highways particularly need regular maintenance. Road markings are non-existent on some highways and it makes driving at night a nightmare because you cannot actually tell where you are, literally!
    Busy highways like Lusaka – Kabwe, Kitwe – Chingola, to mention a few need to be upgraded to dual carriage ways. If the govt does not have adequate funds, they can still create ‘mini dual carriage ways’ on these roads like they did on some portions of the Kafue Siavonga road. It allows for easy overtaking and efficient flow of traffic. What happened on the Lusaka – Kabwe road should never ever happen again. This is a national disaster!

  48. Ask Professor Chirwa to speed up the project of the fastest rail transport so that we can start using those trains than the big buses wich are costing us a lot.

  49. LETS BE SERIOUS. IN THIS ERA N AGE WE MUST BE TALKING ABOUT SANGOMAS. THAT WAS SIMPLY AN ACCIDENT N WE ALL KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, ANCIENT ROAD SYSTEM. PERIOD!

  50. I do not believe RTSA or police even have the capacity to arrest this situation. If indeed arresting the solution was through RTSA & Police patrols by now the situation would have improved. The two agencies seem to have even run out of ideas of what to do. They only talk about ‘increasing patrols’ without specifics. Consider a driver who passes a check point shows his licence and triangles and all then proceeds on. That does not prevent tht driver from overtakng and can still overtake with an element of human error due to other reasons.

    What this situation requires is serious research to look at the actual factors causing accidents. Most accidents currently involve tracks which is a sign of too many there number due to lack of a railline.Dual-carriage way even at intermittent point…

  51. If you are travelling from lusaka to kitwe, you should overtake about 10 tracks to before destination. These normally move at about 60-80kmh. This simply means that there are too many tracks on the road.
    CONT’D 65
    Revamping the rail-line to make it worth transporting heavy goods should reduce on volume of tracks on the road. Secondly a dual-carriage way, as suggested, on main routes can greatly help reduce such accidents. Drivers are usually left with no option but to overtake. A friend was killed in a road accident in a head-on collision on attempting to overtake a track which deliberately increased speed upon seing him overtaking it.
    (Drivers too be cautious)

  52. I wish on behalf of the International Bureau for Epilepsy Africa Regional Committee, Epilepsy Association of Zambia and on my own behalf, pass my heartfelt condolences to the believed families, the Government and to all my Brothers and Sisters in Zambia on the tragic road accident which took the lives of 50 people yesterday morning in Chibombo District.

    My word of advise is that let us all unite in prayer and ask our good Lord to guide and bless our nation in this time of trials.

    My fellow Zambians this is no time for us to start pointing figures at each other or speculate on the causes of theses accidents. We all know the many causes of accidents on our roads and I have in the recent past written and talked about on our radios and papers. When I come back home I will do…

  53. bambi abantu ni mbushi basawe surely can a normal person condem the president over this accident .the president is mourning with the whole nation.lets not politicise this instead lets encourage our brothers and sister who have lost their beloved ones and pray for them to be strong,may the almigty bring peace and unity as we mourn our brothers and sisters who have answered the lord’s call.

  54. Dear Brothers I would like to continue where I ended on the causes of accidents on our roads. These are: Poor state of our roads, over speeding, drunken driving, poor driving education, use of cell phones, passengers disrupting or talking to the driver when he/she driving, corruption just to name a few.

    If as a nation we can work on what I have mentioned then we can minimize all these unnecessary accidents occurring on our roads every day.

    In the statement I made recently on Radio Christians voice before I left the country, I suggested that to bring up sanity on our roads the government as a matter of urgency should come up with a project to mount cameras on most of our busy roads through out the country to monitor the movement of vehicles on our roads. This has been done in other

  55. countries and it can be done in our country. I know this is a costly venture but one life is more costly than what l’m suggesting. Where cameras have been used such as UK, America and other places, the accidents are very few and loss of lives through RTAs is very minimal.

    RTSA and traffic police should also be very serious in tackling this issues on our roads. There is a lot of lazy fair and unconcern in the work of our traffic police and RTSA. These wings are only seen at pick hours but in the night and early morning hours are no where to be seen why? most of the accidents on our roads occur during off pick hours especially the time have mentioned Why? this is the time when people misbehave on the roads because they know that traffic police are not there. We need patrols at all…

  56. at all times and not only at certain times. In UK drivers are so disciplined that if you are picked on the camera over speeding, using mobile phone, not in the sit belt. The police will pursue you and the fine is very big and sometimes you lose points and suspend your driving licence, the things which do not happen in our country.

    I would like to further suggest to our government that selected RTSA and Traffic police officers should be sent to UK to see how their colleagues operate. There are no road blocks in UK but police use both mounted and hand cameras to monitor traffic on all roads. It is surprising that our country is so small but the number of accidents and fatalities on the roads every day is so much. Please we have talked enough we must act and act now. Thank you

  57. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN ZAMBIA IS THAT THEY BUILD UGLY BUILDINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE,BUT NEVER NEVER DO THE ROADS. TELL U WHAT IN TWO YEARS TIME THERE WILL BE SO MANY CAR’S AND SO LITTLE ROADS ,WE WILL ALL BE DRIVING BUMPER TO BUMPER.ZAMBIA IS GROWING BUT ALL IN THE WRONG PLACES.

  58. Why didn’t UKWA use the chopper to air lift the injuried if he cared?Pure hypocrite ,this is too much sacrificing people just because of one fragile dull man!Wake up Zambia.

  59. RDA is under the president’s office, this is indeed a useless government, bad roads, no mealie meal, they have failed lamentably. No use giving directives, improve road infrasturcture!!

  60. Oh,by the the way we went shopping for kidneys thats why he could not release the chopper………………………..selfish hubby ,ka?I hate him but for the love of K1.5 Billion for mahala why not stick on till death do us apart?Tell me!!!!!!!!!!!!

  61. DRIVING IN ZAMBIA SHOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED.95% OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVE BUS DRIVERS OR TAXI DRIVERS.CAN SOME ONE TELL ME THEY ALL UNDER GO APPROPRIATE TRAINING? NO,NO,NO,NO,NO,NO,NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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  66. these accidents are happen becoz of the RATSA there too corrupt those who knows how to driver they always fail when they go for the test but those who doesnt know how they pass just becoz they corrupt them with money let them go back to south Africa and traffic police and council will continue doing the same work please government a foreigner can not safe guard zambians

  67. New year has started and 10 months later we still feel the sting of death, a father whom was robbed from in his prime years. Many families are still morning for their loved ones. Nothing is being done to better the roads in Zambia, President does nothing but enjoy a life at the cost of his country. No economic developments, nothing of substance does he have to show for his time in office. Mr President your time is coming, for wickedness only lasts a while. God whom sets up Kings and kingdoms is the same God the destroys them.

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