The Vice-President said that President Edgar Lungu was immediately notified about the horrific accident that claimed 17 people and left dozens injured whilst in Botswana where he was attending that county’s 51st independence anniversary.
“Let me assure families of the victims that the nation is mourning with you in this tragic moment in life. In addition, accept our condolences which also go to the Roman Catholic Church which experienced yet another accident involving its members not too long ago”.
She said government and all law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies were on the ground trying to establish workable reinforcement needed to save lives.
She said Government insists that Zambia Police and Road Traffic and Safety Agency operations be heightened not just in moments of accidents but at all times because prevention is better than cure.
Vice-President cautioned the general public and all road users to ensure that road safety was given priority.
This according to a statement issued to Sunday Times by Permanent Secretary for Administration at the office of the Vice-President Stephen Mwansa.
Please, ba Catholic Church Bishops and Priests in the Northern Province, can we find a way of stopping our Catholic Laity from using trucks for church purposes. There are more people operating buses in that part of the country. So, let us help stop the road carnage by banning the use of trucks for our members. You do not need RTSA to stop this. Let us learn to be proactive. It is just recently when we lost other lives of Catholic members in Mungwi in similar circumstances.
@zedoc,
I second your comment.
Why deliberately transport human beings in a more dangerous manner than cargo and livestock? By design, trucks with open beds are meant to carry Cargo fastened and secured to the Truck with suitable anchor ropes. When livestock is to be carried in an open truck, raised Gratings are fastened to all four sides of the truck bed.
From the engineering point of view (crushworthiness) , there is no provision to carry human beings in an open truck. Period.
I saw one truck carrying people (Catholic) in Chief Mboroma’s area. The speed was really bad.
I agree that the use of trucks be stopped immediately.
Use of tracks to ferry Christians is like a gift on a silver plate to the devil. Especially during the last quarter of the year. The clergy know better.