FOUR Zambia Army soldiers have died in Kabwe's Mukonchi area after the truck they were travelling in overturned due to suspected over-speeding.

A Times team that rushed to the accident scene found that three of the soldiers died on the spot while the fourth died at Mukonchi Health Centre.

The truck which was carrying drums of fuel and other supplies, had 13 male soldiers on board and was coming from Ndola to Mita Hills to help retrieve two bodies that drowned last Friday in Mita Hills dam.

The injured soldiers were initially taken to Mukonchi Health Centre but were later moved to Kabwe General Hospital.

The identities of the dead and those injured were not immediately known and police and army officers from Kabwe who rushed to the scene are trying to first contact relatives.

And President Michael Sata has sent a message of condolences to the families of the 12 people who died in a road accident involving a Chipata-bound Scania bus which overturned in Rufunsa area on Thursday, reports Joseph Banda.

He has also wished those injured a speedy recovery.

According to a statement issued by State House Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah, Mr Sata said he was deeply saddened at the death of more people in another road accident involving public transport.

"Allow me on behalf of my Cabinet, the First Lady and indeed on my own behalf to convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We pray that the Almighty God grants them comfort and fortitude during this painful period," he said.

He bemoaned the continued fatal road accidents and implored the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) to quickly step up its action to arrest the situation.

Meanwhile, President Sata has also sent a message of condolences to the Kamanga family following the death of Tande Alexandria Bed Kamanga, who died yesterday at the age of 98.

The late Mr Kamanga was the father to the chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Kawaye Kamanga and Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Permanent Secretary, Francis Kamanga.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Police have recorded a total of 13,469 road accidents countrywide from January to August this year.

And Ketra Kalunga reports that the police say it is saddened by the rise in the number of road accidents and has since directed commanders in all provinces to ensure that snap police check-points and motorised traffic patrols are intensified.

Inspector General of Police, Stella Libongani said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the directive had been made in the quest to restore discipline on roads and to ensure that only road worthy motor vehicles driven on the roads.

Ms Libongani said police had observed with sadness that some motorists had opted to ignore road traffic rules and regulations whose objective was to ensure the safety of travellers and other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

"As Zambia Police, we are distressed with the rise in the number of accidents on our roads, most of which have resulted in many people losing their lives and others left with permanent disfigurement," she said.

Ms Libongani said, during the period under review, about 874 people lost their lives with 1,968 left with serious injuries while 2,914 had slight injuries.

She outlined the major causes of the alarming number of accidents as driving under the influence of alcohol and beyond regulated speed limits as well as failure to maintain lanes.

"Other causes include failure by motorists to obey traffic signs and signals and to judge clear distance when overtaking and lack of care by pedestrians and cyclists when crossing the road," she said.