derick.khumalo
Mpumelelo Sibanda
Guest Writer
EVERY year, Zimbabwe loses men, women and children in road traffic accidents that could have been prevented.
While speeding, reckless driving and mechanical failure often dominate discussions on road safety, one deadly threat continues to receive far less attention—stray domestic animals on our highways.
From the Plumtree–Mutare Highway to the Harare–Beitbridge, Harare–Chirundu and Harare–Nyamapanda roads, unattended livestock have turned sections of our national road network into silent killing spots.
The recent reported death of Highlanders Football Club Chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, following the earlier tragic death of national hero, Retired Air Commodore Mike Tichafa Karakadzai under similar circumstances, should serve as a national wake-up call. These are not acts of fate; they are preventable tragedies.
The painful reminder of the death of former National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) general manager, Karakadzai, in August 2013 still haunts many after his vehicle struck a stray cow near Shangani before colliding with an oncoming haulage truck. Zimbabwe lost an accomplished military officer, administrator and national leader because livestock had found their way onto a public highway.
Just yesterday (Thursday), Mhlophe, his vice chairman Fiso Siziba and club treasurer Nkani Khoza died approximately 50 kilometres outside Bulawayo near Lochard under similar circumstances involving stray cows.
Regardless of status, every Zimbabwean who dies in such circumstances leaves behind a grieving family and a nation diminished.
Sadly, these are only the cases that receive public attention. Yet every month, ordinary citizens perish or sustain life-changing injuries after colliding with cattle, donkeys, goats and horses wandering freely on our roads. Families lose breadwinners, businesses lose productive employees, and the country bears the enormous social and economic costs of these entirely avoidable accidents.
It is, therefore, misleading to view this as a problem confined to the Plumtree–Mutare Highway. The danger exists on virtually every major road in Zimbabwe. Motorists travelling along the Harare–Bulawayo, Harare–Beitbridge, Harare–Chirundu, Harare–Nyamapanda, Bulawayo–Victoria Falls and numerous provincial roads have all encountered stray livestock. This is not a regional problem; it is a national crisis requiring a coordinated national response.
Zimbabwe already has legislation governing the control of livestock. Livestock owners have both a legal and moral duty to ensure that their animals do not stray onto public roads. Yet enforcement remains inconsistent, and negligence continues to cost innocent lives.
Laws are only effective when they are respected and firmly enforced.
The first responsibility rests with livestock owners. Every farmer should understand that allowing cattle or donkeys to wander onto highways is not simply poor animal management—it is negligence that can kill.
Responsible ownership means maintaining secure fences, repairing damaged enclosures and ensuring animals are properly herded.
Communities must also become active participants in safeguarding lives. Traditional leaders—chiefs, headmen and village heads (osabhuku)—have long played an important role in maintaining order within their communities. They should spearhead awareness campaigns, encourage responsible livestock management and ensure that community by-laws addressing stray animals are respected.
Rural district councils should work hand in hand with these traditional leaders to identify habitual offenders before another life is lost.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police also have a vital role to play. While roadblocks and traffic enforcement remain important, greater attention should be directed towards enforcing laws relating to stray livestock.
Working closely with local authorities and community leaders, police can help identify areas where domestic animals frequently stray onto highways and take appropriate corrective action.
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) equally has an important responsibility. The authority has made commendable efforts to improve road infrastructure across the country, but greater investment in fencing high-risk sections of highways, repairing damaged roadside barriers and installing clear warning signs in known livestock-crossing areas will significantly reduce the risk of collisions.
Infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem, but it forms an important part of a comprehensive road safety strategy.
Motorists themselves must also play their part. The majority of collisions involving domestic animals occur at night or during periods of poor visibility. Drivers should avoid unnecessary night travel where possible, particularly on highways known for livestock movement. Speed limits should never be treated as optional, and motorists must remain vigilant at all times. Defensive driving saves lives.
Ultimately, road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Government agencies, local authorities, traditional leadership, law enforcement, livestock owners, communities and motorists all have a role to play. No single institution can solve this challenge alone.
The continued loss of life because of stray domestic animals should disturb every Zimbabwean. We should not wait until another senior public official, business executive, commuter omnibus driver or innocent family becomes the next headline. Every preventable death is one too many.
Zimbabwe has successfully confronted many national challenges through collective action. We can do the same here. Stronger enforcement of existing laws, improved fencing along vulnerable highways, responsible livestock ownership, active community participation and cautious driving can dramatically reduce these needless tragedies.
Our highways are the lifeblood of trade, tourism and national development. They should connect families and markets—not separate families forever through preventable loss.
The time to act is now. Tomorrow’s headline should not be another obituary.
