Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
THE 2026 Easter holiday recorded a disturbing rise in fatalities on Zimbabwe’s roads, despite an overall decline in the number of accidents compared to the same period last year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said.
In a statement, National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 30 people lost their lives during the 2026 Easter holiday, an increase from 24 deaths recorded in 2025.
The total number of road traffic accidents, however, declined from 384 in 2025 to 337 this year, reflecting a reduction in overall incidents but a worrying increase in the severity of crashes.
Fatal accidents slightly rose from 21 in 2025 to 22 in 2026, while the number of injured persons dropped significantly from 178 last year to 104 this year.
“This indicates that while fewer accidents were recorded, more lives were lost, pointing to the severity of crashes occurring during the period,” said Comm Nyathi.
A breakdown of the statistics shows that pedestrians accounted for the majority of those killed, with 19 deaths representing about 63 percent of the total fatalities. Passengers followed with seven deaths (23 percent), while drivers accounted for three deaths (10 percent) and one rider made up just over three percent.
The holiday period was marred by several tragic accidents across the country, including high-profile incidents that shocked the nation.
Among them was the fatal crash involving six members of the Mujuru family along the Harare-Masvingo Road just before the Easter holiday. The victims died when their Toyota Corolla vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a truck at the 246km peg.
The tragedy added to a series of deadly incidents, including the Mawabeni accident, which claimed multiple lives, and another horrific crash along the Bulawayo-Shangani accident.
During the Easter holiday itself, one of the worst incidents occurred along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road, where seven people were killed and four others injured after a truck rammed into three vehicles that had been involved in an earlier accident. The truck struck both the vehicles and pedestrians who had gathered at the scene.
In Masvingo Province, three separate hit-and-run incidents on April 4 claimed three lives. In all cases, motorists fled the scene after knocking down pedestrians.
Comm Nyathi said speeding was the leading cause of accidents during the period, with many drivers losing control of their vehicles and overturning. Unsafe overtaking was also cited as a major contributor, leading to head-on collisions.
Despite the grim statistics, police noted that no major accidents involving public service vehicles were recorded during the 2026 Easter holiday.
The ZRP has urged motorists to exercise caution and responsibility on the roads, particularly during peak travel periods.
“Motorists involved in accidents must stop, render first aid where possible and report every accident to the Police,” said Comm Nyathi.
He also emphasised the importance of using reflective warning triangles, reducing speed and being cautious when approaching stationary vehicles with hazard lights.
As the figures show, while the number of accidents dropped by 47 cases compared to last year, the increase in fatalities underscores the need for greater vigilance among road users.
Authorities say adherence to road rules and a collective commitment to safety remain critical in reducing road traffic deaths in Zimbabwe.
derick.khumalo