STATEMENT ON THE INAUGURATION OF THE TRAFFIC SAFETY COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE (TSCZ) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

I would like to welcome you to this occasion; the inauguration of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Board of Directors. Your presence here today indicates that you have accepted these appointments. This shows the reciprocal and collective commitment that we all share in the quest to serve and develop our country.

The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe was established through the Traffic Safety Council Act (Chapter 13:17). Its functions include the following: promoting road safety in the country through education, co-ordination of road safety stakeholders, research, regulation of driving schools and setting standards for learner drivers as well as setting standards of practice by driving schools. The Council also provides advice to the Minister on all matters relating to road safety. I will therefore be looking forward to receiving your advice on how we can effectively reduce accidents on our roads.

Accordingly, in terms of the same Act and in consultation with His Excellency, the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe, I hereby appoint the following to the Traffic Safety Council of Board of Directors for the next three years with effect from 1 November 2017:

1. Mr. Albert Mugabe               –       Chairperson
2. Dr. Gift K Machengete          –       Vice Chairperson
3. Mr. Leslie Ncube                  –       Board Member
4. Mr. Allowance Z Sango         –       Board Member
5. Mr. Ngonidzashe Katsvairo     –       Board Member
6. Ms. Angelina Matopodzi        –       Board Member
7. Snr Assistant Commissioner Felie Mjanga – Board Member
8. Mrs. Thobekile Mpofu          –        Board Member
9. Mr. Kingstone Gongera        –        Board Member
10. Mrs Jostina Matanhire          –        Board Member
11. Mr. Obio M Chinyere           –        Ex-Officio Board Member

I wish to inform you that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has been one of the performing agencies under my Ministry. In this regard, I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Board Chairperson Mr. Moses Chihuri and his Board members. Under previous Boards, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe was able to achieve the following notable results:

–         Clean Externally Audited Financial Accounts since 2004 to date.

–         Growing the Council Balance sheet from under US$500 000 to about US$10 million.

–         Balance sheet growth is anchored on acquisition of provincial operating premises and Head Office premises in Harare Central Business.

–         Implementation of Electronic Cover Notes which has ensured steady but increased inflows of levy collections into the Council coffers since May 2016.

–         In 2015 the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) rated Zimbabwe number 4 in Africa in the implementation of the Decade of Action for Road Safety (Only behind RSA, Nigeria and Ghana in spite of having no International donor financial assistance).

–         Fencing the highway from Bulawayo to Gweru to reduce animal vehicle collisions. This is an ongoing project and currently the tender for fencing the Plumtree – Bulawayo highway has been floated.

I would also like to applaud the outgoing Board for implementing the following road safety interventions;

–         Road safety in schools, communities and churches;

–         Television shows e.g Mai Chisamba;

–         Road shows;

–         Road safety campaigns;

–         Holding national and regional shows and exhibitions;

–         Driver of the year awards; and

–         Awarding of Annual Journalistic Awards

More importantly, their ability to attract reputable corporates in forging the private-public partnerships in road safety programmes was a clear demonstration of the Board’s vision to leverage the inadequate public funds with private funds.

It is therefore very clear that I am handing to you, a viable and sustainable public institution and I urge each one of you to add value as has been done by your predecessors. More importantly, I urge you to carry on with the national projects of Highway fencing and the establishment of the Road Accident Victims Compensation Fund.

The establishment of the Road Accident Fund remains a very important project on the Ministry’s agenda because of the benefits that will accrue to the public. It is also instructive to note that His Excellency the President, Cde. R. G Mugabe acknowledged the importance of setting up such a fund in his speech at the Official Opening of the 5^th Session of Parliament. Finally, I wish you the best as you commence your public service journey and on this journey be guardian angels of the institution and its staff.

 I thank you.