Zambian engineer Francis Musaba has dismissed claims circulating among certain groups that an increase in road accidents between October and December is caused by satanic rituals. Musaba argues that the spike in accidents during this period is instead due to seasonal weather patterns, road conditions, and human factors, all of which demand better preparation and adherence to vehicle maintenance standards.
In a detailed Facebook statement titled “Let’s Talk About Engineering,” Musaba explains that attributing accidents to spiritual causes is misleading and not supported by any factual evidence. He encourages Zambians to understand the scientific and engineering realities that contribute to the rise in accidents.
Engineering Perspective: Seasonal Factors Impact Road Safety
Musaba outlines several factors that affect road safety in Zambia during the hot and rainy seasons:
1.Temperature and Road Surface Conditions
Zambia experiences its highest temperatures between October and December. Many roads in the country are constructed with bituminous materials, which reduce traction under high temperatures, making roads more slippery.
Musaba stresses the importance of vehicle users adjusting their vehicle specifications according to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommendations. “Roads become slippery if drivers don’t make the necessary adjustments,” he noted.
2.Tyre Pressure Management
Musaba emphasizes that tyre pressure should not remain the same across different seasons. Many OEMs provide tables showing the recommended tyre pressures for different conditions.
“For example, my vehicle’s tyre pressure is set at 44 PSI outside the hot season, but during hot periods, it drops to 40 PSI,” he explained. He advised vehicle owners to check their tyres, especially if they change tyre profiles, to avoid dangerous driving conditions.
3.Rainy Season Hazards
Between January and March, heavy rains in Zambia create water pools, potholes, and debris on roads, further increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Musaba warned that poor road maintenance during this period can lead to larger, deeper potholes, which endanger drivers and contribute to road crashes.
4.Fatigue and Sleep Disorders in Hot Seasons
Musaba also addressed the impact of extreme temperatures on drivers, pointing out that hot weather disrupts sleep patterns, increasing the likelihood of driver fatigue between October and December.
He urged long-distance drivers to take intermittent rests and stay alert while driving, emphasizing that sober and focused driving is critical for safety.
Defensive Driving: A Practical Solution
Musaba advised drivers to enroll in Defensive Driving Courses to improve their skills and adapt to different driving conditions. “I took a defensive driving course in 2008, and it has helped me immensely,” he said, encouraging others to follow suit.
Addressing the Myth of Spiritual Causes
Musaba concluded by dismissing the idea that accidents during these months have any spiritual connection, calling it a baseless myth.
“There is nothing spiritual about these accidents. They occur because people fail to adjust their driving to seasonal challenges. Simply understanding the seasons and responding to their demands can prevent many accidents,” he said.
Musaba called on all drivers to stay informed about road conditions, maintain their vehicles properly, and adapt to seasonal changes to ensure their safety and that of others on the road.
Zambia pa chalo, everything is tied to witchcraft. Meanwhile, the word “maintenance” is mostly absent in our vocabulary, along with driver competences. People often start with buying a vehicle, then acquire a driver’s licence before they learn how to drive. How do you prevent accidents like that?
Like i have said before…the Zambian roads are a death trap …no clear road markings…you driving and you dont know where the road ends especially at night when its dark….plus over speeding in treacherous road conditions….driving whilst intoxicated…..these are the main causes for road traffic accidents in Zambia…on top of that no Emmergency Responders…no stretchers…no Ambulances…no First Aid…victims just bleed to death
Our roads are very bad so lets try to obey traffic signs…stop overspending and unsafe overtaking…..stop driving under the influence of Alcohol….lets try to service our cars before embarking on long road trips
Our African mentality is sickening….everything is rituals even when its human error…..speed limit says 80km/h and someone is driving 200km/h…how do you expect to negotiate a curve driving at 200km/h…or overtaking on a curve when you can’t see in what’s coming in front of you
Young man with due respect to your field of specialization, ignoring our cultures is the cause some of our problems today. Not all accidents are caused by physical deficiency. Some have connections with the dark underworld.
Good Lord, even carelessness and stupidity bare caused by satanic forces. Have you observed just how bad our driving habits are regardless of road conditions? Wake up to the reality. Blaming satanic forces is a convenient and lazy excuse.
That’s superstition, iwe. Give me a break.
Guys I am not a superstitious person but I have respect for our people’s beliefs. One day when a strange phenomenal hits don’t blame magic but science.
@DeJa Vu, you are right, the problem is that pipo shy away from spiritual happenings. With poverty in ZED, some greedy pipo will do anything to get riches & power.. anything is possible in this wicked world
Biology knows no lifeform called spirits.
Road infrastructure, vehicle conditions, competency of drivers, human behavior , political will should be the first priorities so that human lives are protected. In ZED these are almost non-starter, may the souls of the departed receive mercy from God & rest in peace
And there’s a new trend now where people just rush to accident scenes just to take pictures and videos for social media whilst someone is bleeding to death….instead of offering help…back in the days we used to rush to Accident scenes to go and offer help….not anymore
Guys lets just be real….there’s no such a thing as “dark world “…..its just some conspiracy theories……ask yourselves WHY ARE WITCHDOCTORS AND WIZARDS SO POOR….the answer is simple…..there’s no dark world
Thanks a lot for the online news. Please may the road Engineers include middle barriers on major motorways to minimise head-on collisions.
Engineer Musaba’s reasoning is one of the causes of accidents as he outlines the factors. Unfortunately he seems to know nothing about the SPIRITUAL happenings from the kingdom of darkness. Those who don’t believe the existence of God and Satan(Devil) can’t understand and accept spiritual things because they are spiritually decerned.
NB: 1 Corinthians 2: 9 – 16, (cf. V.V 13 & 14).
@Frank Sikazwe. Mr. Musaba has given reasons he is familiar with. He may not believe in witchcraft or other dark forces.
Feel free to write a follow up article to explain how the the dark forces contribute to road carnage. Thank you.
Some of us come from families that are deeply embedded in the dark world but publicly we want to act differently. Even in church someone is so committed to the church but after church they go to get “extra” power from some small gourd.
The road markings are an embarrassment.
They are either faded or absent. Those residing within the town ‘know’ where they are, otherwise you find your car flying over and invisible hump and screeching over and equally invisible pedestrian crossing. I recently found myself in a one-way street going the wrong way. And traffic police are busy arresting motorists for not obeying these invisible signs. I think we should refuse to pay and insist on going to court where facts will be laid bare.
The people who did away with pwd are to blame.
Why do so many of you Africans believe in such nonsense and mumbo jumbo.
You people are so backward.