VILLAGERS allowing their livestock to graze along the Gweru-Bulawayo Highway are to blame for the rise in road accidents, police have said.
Statutory Instrument 308 of 1974 prohibits any person from allowing animals to graze near the highway.
Police have in the past threatened to impound any domestic animals found grazing along the highways.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko urged motorists driving along the highway to be careful of stray animals so as to avoid accidents.
“It has been observed that there has been an increase in animals straying into the highways, thus raising the risk of road accidents,” Mahoko said.
“The increase in the straying of stock is attributed to vandalised farm fences and gates that are left open on farms situated along the road.”
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In 2016, the government launched the fencing of the 162km stretch of road between Bulawayo and Gweru in a bid to reduce road accidents caused by stray livestock.
The project was funded by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.
The highway fence was, however, vandalised by villagers and other unknown suspects.
“The 2024 festive season is also approaching and during the period, the volume of motor vehicle traffic is expected to increase,” Mahoko said.
“We also urge livestock owners to refrain them from straying onto the roads and ensure that their farm fences are maintained as well as keep their gates closed at all times.
“In the event of driving stock across the road, we appeal to farmers to use designated cattle crossing places, while being led by drovers with reflective clothing.”
Prominent people who have died after hitting stray animals on the highway are national hero Retired Air Commodore Mike Karakadzai, who was also the National Railways of Zimbabwe general manager, and Apostle Charles Chiriseri.