Suburban
There have been many reported incidents of reckless drivers who have been involved in accidents in the Harare North area the latest being a speeding motorist who struck and killed a Highlands Primary School pupil on the sport at the intersection of ED Mnangagwa and Glenara.
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
Disgusted by the latest incident in which a young life was brutally taken away, residents of Harare North through the Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) have declared war on all the reckless drivers and called on the authorities to put in place stiffer penalties.
A statement that was circulated on the Harare North residents’ social media platforms described how the speeding driver ran over the young school boy. Residents urged the community to take steps to ensure the safety pedestrians particularly Highlands Primary School pupils on the intersection of ED Mnangagwa and Glenara.
“On 17 September 2021 at 06:45am, 11-year-old Ceejay Maodzwa (CJ) was crossing Glenara and ED Mnangagwa Road (formerly Enterprise) highway on his way to Highlands Primary School, as he did every other school day. A driver who was approaching the robots hooted whilst speeding and CJ surrendered his hands in the air, in shock and in fear for his life. The driver made no attempt to brake, but continued and took his life. There was no attempt to avoid loss of life. CJ was suspended in the air only to be dragged about 15-20 metres away from the traffic light crossing and died on the spot. His dreams and ambitions were not only stolen from him but society as well, due to reckless driving. We need to do better for our children and improve their safety on this intersection,” read the statement.
There was an outpouring of grief on residents’ social media groups with commentators commiserating with the young boy’s family.
BRRA secretary Ms Jo Ann Ross said the reckless driver should be charged with murder and the police should do more.
“I am sorry to the family of the young boy who was killed by a reckless driver. I hope this motorist who was speeding will be caught and charged for murder. This driver saw this young boy, there was a stop sign but he went ahead and killed him. I also want to plead with the police to do more on the roads and the authorities should gazette stiffer penalties for reckless drivers,” said Ms Ross.
Commenting on several accidents which have been witnessed in Harare North recently, the BRRA said they are concerned about the growing number of road accidents most of which are fatal and some claiming lives as well as destroying property.
“We urge police to curb this growing trend by increasing their visibility on the roads and arresting drunken drivers, speeding drivers and cars that are unroadworthy. We have noticed again with concern heavy vehicles speeding down some roads and not been cognisant of other road users,” BRR chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira said.
“Water trucks are seen racing along Borrowdale Brooke Road and one can only imagine the disaster if any of those trucks are to lose control especially in the undulating terrain of most parts of Borrowdale. We urge drivers to be responsible and value their lives as well as those of others. People must always make sure that intoxicated individuals do not go behind the wheel after parties or other functions where alcohol could have been served,” said Mr Mutyasira.
