Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
EIGHTEEN people were killed in 13 fatal road traffic accidents recorded during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, marking a decline in road carnage compared to the same period last year.
While the number of fatal accidents remained unchanged at 13, the death toll dropped by 25 percent from 24 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025 to 18 this year. Overall road traffic accidents also decreased by 26 percent, falling from 196 to 145.
The latest figures, released by police yesterday, further indicate a significant reduction in injuries, with the number of people injured declining from 96 last year to 51 this year.
The statistics cover the period from August 10 to 11, a time when traffic volumes were expected to increase as Zimbabweans travelled across the country for the Heroes and Defence Forces commemorations and the accompanying public holiday.
Despite the overall improvement, police said the continued loss of life on the country’s roads remains a matter of concern, with most accidents linked to human error and unsafe driving practices.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi attributed the crashes to factors including driver inattention, misjudgement, speeding, following too closely, dangerous overtaking, failure to give way and reckless or negligent driving.
“Driver fatigue, defective vehicles, poor road conditions and pedestrian negligence were also identified as contributing factors, with speeding and reckless driving particularly prominent in fatal crashes,” he said.
Comm Nyathi said an analysis of the 18 fatalities revealed that passengers accounted for the highest number of deaths at nine, followed by pedestrians who accounted for five deaths.
He said two people travelling in ox-drawn scotch carts were killed, while one driver and one rider also lost their lives.
The police spokesperson said none of the fatalities involved public service vehicles.
Nine of the deaths occurred in accidents involving private or family-owned vehicles, while the remaining fatalities were recorded in crashes involving three haulage trucks, two ox-drawn scotch carts, a tractor and a motorcycle.
One of the fatal accidents occurred on August 11 at around 4.30pm at the 279km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
“A motorist driving a Mazda T35 carrying 29 passengers allegedly lost control of the vehicle, resulting in it veering off the road and crashing into a river bank. Four passengers died on the spot while 12 others sustained injuries,” said Comm Nyathi.
He attributed the overall reduction in road traffic accidents to intensified road safety awareness campaigns conducted by the police and other stakeholders.
Comm Nyathi urged motorists to observe speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking, maintain safe following distances and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
“Motorists were also warned against driving while fatigued, while pedestrians and other vulnerable road users were urged to exercise caution when using the country’s roads,” he said.
