By Matabeleland North Correspondent
THE government-issued motorbikes, handed to Agricultural Extension (Agritex) workers, are proving to be dangerous instead of improving working conditions for the officers as over 72 have been involved in accidents countrywide.
Agritex has a national workforce of 5 000 extension employees and 505 supervisors countrywide while the veterinary department has 2 000.
The government early this year undertook to capacitate its agriculture support staff by issuing each with a motorbike and an ipad for use in their day-to-day duties.
This is part of the government’s efforts to transform agriculture from subsistence to a commercial business.
However, Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka told House of Assembly members last week the decision to provide motorbikes to Agritex officers was proving costly as over 72 had been involved in accidents while riding the motorbikes.
By Matabeleland North Correspondent
HWANGE: AN unconfirmed number of passengers reportedly suffered varying degrees of injuries, some with fractures after a CAG Travellers Bus going to Binga from Bulawayo failed to go up the steep ascent on Gwayi River and fell into a ditch.
The accident occurred Sunday afternoon on the Cross Dete-Binga road.
Preliminary reports from the police said there were no fatalities, but a number of passengers had been injured.
The whereabouts of the driver were reportedly unknown after he reportedly jumped off through the window when the bus started reversing after failing to go up the steep road.