ZRP bans night travel for pupils

Published: 6 hours ago

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has prohibited night travel for pupils returning to school and warned transport operators against using unroadworthy vehicles as thousands of learners head back for the Third Term, which opens on Tuesday.

On Monday morning, scores of boarding school pupils thronged the City Hall parking area and OK Mart in Bulawayo, boarding buses to schools in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and other outlying areas. Some schools resorted to hiring buses from local day schools to ferry learners.

In a statement, police appealed to parents, guardians, school authorities and the public to prioritise the safety of children during the back-to-school rush.

"Transport operators must ensure their vehicles are certified fit before transporting children to schools. Drivers should exercise caution, avoid speeding and comply with all road rules and regulations to prevent accidents," ZRP said.

The police stressed that night travel would not be permitted.
"Parents and school authorities must ensure learners do not travel at night, as this can expose them to various risks, including road traffic accidents. School authorities and transporters should also ensure that buses and other forms of transport are not overloaded at all costs," the statement read.

Authorities also advised schools to minimise the handling of large sums of cash by depositing fees and tuition costs with financial institutions, saying such measures reduce the risk of robbery and theft at school premises.

The safety push comes amid increased traffic as thousands of children travel across the country to begin the final school term of the year.
- The Chronicle

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