Tizeba, police differ on cause of mishap
Coffins carrying bodies of five workers of the Ministry of Agriculture are lined up as mourners prepared to pay their last respects. The five were killed in a grisly accident in Manyoni District, Singida Region. PHOTO | HABEL CHIDAWALI
What you need to know:
- Experts in transport say drivers of government vehicles should also observe the law regarding speed limits as Tanzania loses over 10 public servants in road accidents involving government vehicles.
- Just yesterday, the Minister for Agriculture, Dr Charles Tizeba delivered a condolence message at an event to pay last respects to five public servants from the Ministry of Agriculture who were killed in a crash on Sunday, October 21.
Dodoma/Dar. Agriculture minister Charles Tizeba yesterday refuted claims that the accident that killed five officials from his ministry was caused by reckless driving.
This comes as concerns are being raised on the rising number of accidents involving government vehicles.
According to experts, most of the time, drivers of government vehicles find themselves in a dilemma as to whether they should stick to road safety rules or obey orders by their bosses who are always on a haste to get somewhere on time.
Since January, at least 10 civil servants have perished in accidents involving government vehicles.
In May, Tanzania Investment Centre lost three senior officials when their vehicle collided with a lorry.
In July, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment information officer Shadrack Sagati was killed after their vehicle crashed in Katoro, Geita Region. The other official was deputy permanent secretary Ludovick Nduhiye.
In August, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism information officer Hamza Temba died in a crash involving a government vehicle. Natural Resources and Tourism minister Hamisi Kigwangallah was badly injured.
On October 21, four officers and a driver from the Ministry of Agriculture died when their car collided with a lorry at Njirii in Manyoni District, Singida Region.
Singida Regional Police Commander Sweetbert Njewike told The Citizen that eyewitnesses had informed him that the accident occurred when the driver for the vehicle wanted to overtake several lorries without taking precautions.
But Dr Tizeba said yesterday that the information from the police was wrong and misleading.
“Yesterday, I spent a lot of time speaking to residents around the area where the accident occurred. I also held a lengthy discussion with the driver of the lorry that was involved in the accident. I ask the police in Singida to review their information.
“They have delivered a judgement. I refute their claims. They are wrong, misleading and bent on delivering an erroneous judgement,” he during a ceremony of paying last respects to the dead servants.
“There is a tendency for holders of Public Service Vehicles and Heavy Duty Vehicles licences to ignore the basic driving principle of obeying speed limits. This must not be tolerated,” said private transport college director Robert Mkolla.
