Trymore Tagwirei

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) held the Masvingo Driver of the Year competitions at the Civic Center and award ceremony at Flamboyant, a Regency Group Hotel on Saturday. The driving competitions had three categories, bus, kombi and articulated trucks in which drivers contested in theory, obstacle testing and road tests. The top three drivers in each category will represent the province at the national competitions set for next Saturday (September 28) in Bulawayo. Drivers from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Masimba Holdings, Masvingo City Council, Kyle Prepatory School and Junior High School competed.The ZNA dominated the bus category with two of its drivers Tumai Chikaka and Tatenda Makovere coming first and second respectively. They won US$500 and US$300 respectively. Tongesai Mudyiwa from Junior High School came third and received US$200 prize money.Takasiyana Kaipa from Masvingo City received US$500 prize money for coming first in the rigid trucks category followed by Alec Munhambi of Masimba Holdings who received US$300 prize money. Vengayi Madzimure of Masvingo City came third and received US$200.Kyle Preparatory School driver Pardon Hove came first in the Kombi category and received US$200 prize money while Mukafura Mhaka from ZNA came first in the articulated truck category and walked away with US$200. TSCZ Director Operations, Marketing and Research Thomas Mahunde said the competitions seeks to promote professionalism among drivers.He said the competitions were launched on May 2, 2024, in Manicaland and Masvingo is the last province to hold the competitions. “The competitions focuses on promoting professionalism and good driving skills among our drivers so that, we can reduce road carnage. The competitions are very important because 96% of road accidents are caused by human error,” he said.One of the winners Takasiyana Kaipa said he is overjoyed to compete at the national showdown. “I want to thank the organizers of the competition and Masvingo City Council for having faith in me. I have competed over the past five years and this is my first time winning,” he said.