Govt unveils emergency plan for Uhuru bash

Source: Govt unveils emergency plan for Uhuru bash – herald

Zvamaida Murwira

Senior Reporter

AN emergency services plan has been put in place by Government for the 46th National Independence Celebrations to be held at Maphisa growth point in Matabeleland South this Saturday.

The plan includes the deployment of six ambulances, five fire tenders, two helicopters, on-site first aid and designated emergency hospital wards to ensure an incident-free event.

President Mnangagwa will preside over the celebrations, which will be held under the theme: “Zim@46 – Unity and Development Towards Vision 2030”.

The theme aligns with the Government’s broader national development agenda, which seeks to transform the country into an upper middle-income economy by 2030 through inclusive growth, infrastructure development and social cohesion.

To ensure smooth and incident-free celebrations, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is coordinating a National Emergency Response Plan, which takes into account a surge in traffic volume as people travel to celebration centres, including the flagship event in Maphisa, Matobo District, Matabeleland South.

“Zimbabwe’s Independence celebrations are characterised by high population mobility as citizens travel nationwide to participate in festivities. The 2026 national celebrations will be hosted in Maphisa, Matobo District, while all of the country’s 60 districts will concurrently stage their district-level commemorations. This will therefore result in increased traffic volumes along major highways, elevating the risk of road traffic accidents,” reads the plan.

“The celebrations present both an opportunity for national unity and a heightened risk of road traffic accidents. A proactive, well-coordinated and resource-efficient response plan will significantly reduce fatalities and injuries, ensuring that citizens celebrate safely while honouring the legacy of Zimbabwe’s Independence.”

The plan entails activation of an on-site Command Centre led by the Department of Civil Protection at Maphisa for quick response to emergencies, with secondary and tertiary Command Centres in Bulawayo and Gwanda.

Five fire tenders will also be deployed, with two at the stadium and three along the Bulawayo-Kezi Road, while four heavy-load tow trucks and five small tow trucks will be positioned at strategic points for rapid response.

Three emergency patient wards will also be established at Kezi, Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals, while two helicopters will be stationed at Maphisa and one midway along the Bulawayo-Kezi Road, coupled with six ambulances, two at the venue and four along the Bulawayo-Kezi Road.

“This plan seeks to minimise road traffic accidents and fatalities, ensure rapid and coordinated emergency response, enhance public awareness on road safety and strengthen inter-agency coordination before, during and after the celebrations,” reads the document.

“Hospitals and clinics along major routes are therefore expected to preposition supplies and have medical personnel on standby.”

Enhanced road signage will be installed along major access routes to Maphisa.

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has been tasked to strengthen road safety and emergency response measures along all major access routes to the venue. The anticipated increase in traffic volumes necessitates the urgent installation and visibility enhancement of road signage on the main roads leading to Maphisa,” reads the plan.

“This includes clear and strategically placed signs indicating narrow bridges, low-clearance bridges, speed restrictions and the presence of speed humps to regulate vehicular movement. Such measures will play a critical role in reducing the risk of road traffic accidents and ensuring the safe and orderly flow of traffic.”

A total of five heavy-duty cranes and recovery equipment will be strategically stationed along the Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa and Gwanda-Maphisa roads to enable swift clearance of accident scenes and removal of broken-down vehicles.

“Timely clearance of such obstructions will minimise traffic congestion, prevent secondary accidents and maintain uninterrupted movement of traffic and emergency services,” reads the document.

“To ease traffic pressure, particularly along the Bulawayo–Kezi-Maphisa Road, it is recommended that traffic be decongested through the use of alternative routes to Maphisa, such as the Gwanda-Maphisa Road, among other access routes.”

Jet A1 fuel will be readily available to enhance emergency medical response capabilities and facilitate efficient airlifting services for critically injured persons to referral medical centres, ensuring timely access to life-saving treatment.

“The country looks forward to disaster-free celebrations where disaster losses and damages are sustainably reduced. This situation can only be achieved through concerted efforts from all stakeholders in prevention and prompt response in case of emergency,” reads the document.