By Simbarashe Sithole/Gideon Madzikatidze
SCORES of Bethlehem International Church members yesterday took to the streets of Chivhu in a desperate prayer against drug and substance abuse and the rising number of fatal road accidents.
Led by Doctor Archbishop Edbon Gwatidzo, the congregants marched through the town before kneeling in the middle of the road to pray for divine protection for motorists and travellers.
The dramatic prayer march came a day after a horrific road accident near Chivhu claimed 27 lives, sending shockwaves across the country.
The tragedy has once again thrust Zimbabwe’s road safety crisis into the spotlight, with calls mounting for motorists to exercise greater caution and authorities to intensify measures aimed at curbing road carnage.
Gwatidzo and his congregants prayed for an end to the loss of lives on the country’s roads, while also calling for communities to unite against the growing problem of drug and substance abuse.
The church members’ action brought traffic to a temporary standstill as they knelt on the road, with prayers being offered for families who lost loved ones in the latest accident.
The latest tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal crashes recorded across Zimbabwe, raising concern over reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, speeding, overloaded vehicles and other road safety violations.
The church’s intervention comes as communities continue to grapple with the devastating impact of road accidents, which have left scores of families mourning their loved ones.
The march also highlighted the church’s call for a collective response to drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Gwatidzo said the church would continue using prayer and community mobilisation to fight social problems threatening lives and livelihoods.
The Chivhu prayer march comes at a time when the country is once again counting the human cost of road carnage, with calls for urgent action to make Zimbabwe’s roads safer.