The Manicaland Transport Association has expressed deep condolences following a tragic road accident on the Harare-Mutare Road, involving Tenda Transport and Phil Phats.

The Isau Mupfumi headed association extended sympathies to the victims' families and urged measures to enhance road safety.

The accident, which claimed several lives and injured numerous passengers, has intensified calls for improved safety measures. Mupfumi stressed the importance of cautious driving, particularly given the high truck traffic on this route. "We urge all drivers to be mindful of the lives they carry," he said.

In his statement, Mupfumi highlighted the need for government intervention to refurbish railway infrastructure. This, he argued, would reduce truck traffic and enhance road safety. He also backed the Ministry of Transport's initiative to organize bus operators into associations, a move aimed at ensuring accountability and rigorous checks on drivers' credentials and vehicle conditions.

The association also called for the reinstatement of highway patrols. "The presence of highway patrol vehicles is essential in curbing road accidents and maintaining order," Mupfumi emphasized, noting that continuous patrols would be more effective than static roadblocks in deterring reckless driving.

The call for improved road safety comes amid ongoing tensions within the transport sector. Recently, Mupfumi, a Zanu PF politician and bus operator, was arrested along with 21 others in connection with violent clashes at Mutare bus ranks. The violence stemmed from a dispute between Mupfumi's bus company and Mukumba Buses over loading bays and ranks. Police had to intervene, firing warning shots to disperse the armed gangs.