Online Reporter
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) is set to launch the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign at Gosha Primary School, located near Juru Business Centre.
As Zimbabwe prepares for a bustling holiday season, this event will feature prominent figures, including Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, among other senior officials.
Attendees can expect the handover of ten state-of-the-art highway ambulances, aimed at bolstering response capabilities along the nation’s major highways.
The TSCZ is also ramping up its efforts with additional ambulance deployments, reinforcing a proactive approach to road safety.
Mrs Lucy Kuwandira-Mapfumo, TSCZ’s media and corporate communications officer, emphasises the importance of their awareness, education, and enforcement campaigns, which are being conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders—including the Zimbabwe Republic Police and transport operators.
As the festive season draws near, law enforcement agencies are gearing up for enhanced monitoring of traffic regulations. This initiative aims to mitigate reckless driving and ensure safer roads for all travellers.
Stay tuned as our reporter, Freeman Razemba, and photographer, Charles Muchakagara, bring you live updates as we cover this crucial event and its impact on road safety in Zimbabwe.
Traffic safety advocates come together to combat rising accident rates
Minister Mhona has arrived at the event, accompanied by Engineer Joy Makumbe, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage’s Director of Procurement, Colonel (Rtd) Onward Tokoda, who is representing Minister Kazembe Kazembe.
Also present are TSCZ Board Vice-Chairperson Ms Lizwe Bhunu, Murewa West legislator Cde Farai Jere, National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Chief Chinhamora, Chief Rusike, traditional leaders, and Baba and Mai Charamba, who are traffic safety ambassadors.
In the opening remarks, Mashonaland East Director for Provincial Coordination Mrs Fungai Phyllis Banhwa, representing Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, expressed concern over the increase in road traffic accidents that have claimed many lives on the country’s major roads.
She commended Minister Mhona and his ministry for their consistent advocacy for safer roads.
TSCZ Vice Chairperson addresses global road safety concerns
TSCZ Board Vice Chairperson Ms Lizwe Bhunu is now giving her remarks. She stated that road carnage is a major concern not only in Zimbabwe but worldwide.
Ms Bhunu emphasised the need to address these challenges, highlighting that it is a collective responsibility. She expressed her worry regarding the rate of accidents involving public service vehicles, noting that action is required to tackle this issue.
“We need to work together to ensure that roads are safer for everybody,” she said.
She pointed out that their goal is to save lives across the country. During this period, there tends to be a high rate of accidents, and their teams will be deployed nationwide to conduct awareness campaigns.
Ms Bhunu confirmed that TSCZ teams and various stakeholders will remain active on the ground, carrying out awareness campaigns throughout the country.
Police Commissioner Dube urges compliance with traffic regulations
Police Commissioner Coneli Dube is now giving his remarks, representing Police Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba.
He urged motorists to continue observing traffic rules and regulations.
He stated that the Police would be out in full force to arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law. Commissioner Dube warned that those who speed or drink and drive will face the full wrath of the law.
He added that they would be conducting motorised patrols and manning roadblocks.
Transporters commend Government efforts in road rehabilitation
Mr Ngoni Katsvairo, the Secretary General of the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus, applauded President Mnangagwa for ensuring that all roads have been rehabilitated across the country.
However, he expressed concern over the increase in accidents, attributing this rise to some drivers speeding and others engaging in negligent driving.
Mr Katsvairo praised the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe for purchasing breathalysers, which were recently handed over to the police.
He expressed hope that the government would also acquire equipment capable of testing for substances other than alcohol.
As an association, he noted they are doing everything they can to ensure that their drivers do not operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.
Mr Katsvairo urged the government to require every driver to undergo retesting and defensive driving courses to promote order on the roads.
He also commended the Government for providing ambulances that will be deployed on the roads.
Church leaders and ZPTO advocate for road safety
A representative of the churches, Bishop Obert Vurayayi Matsveru, urged drivers to observe traffic rules and regulations and to refrain from driving while using mobile phones.
He stated that the churches would also conduct prayers to ensure an accident-free holiday.
Zimbabwe Public Transport Organisation (ZPTO) representative Mr Tigere Chigome assured passengers that road safety would be a priority for all.
“We commit to ensuring that every journey will be safe and not stressful for our passengers. We have discouraged our drivers from driving while intoxicated, as well as from using mobile phones while driving,” he said.
Mr Chigome urged drivers to avoid speeding by adhering to speed limits.
Traffic safety ambassadors, Baba and Mai Charamba, are now addressing the audience.
Amai Charamba emphasised that a phone is not as important as one’s life, as phones can be replaced, but life cannot.
She advised drivers to stop or park if they wish to use their phones before proceeding with their journey.
She also discouraged young people from walking along roads while wearing headphones, as they risk being struck by vehicles.
In another address, Baba Charamba noted that, according to statistics, it is disheartening to learn that 2,000 lives are lost annually in Zimbabwe as a result of road accidents.
He highlighted the prevalence of human error and negligence on the roads.
ICZ deploys 10 ambulances to high-accident zones for swift emergency assistance
Deputy Chairperson of the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ), Mrs Alice Shumba, announced that the emergency toll-free number for calling ambulances is 591.
She assured that the number will operate 24/7 for emergency assistance.
She stated that, in partnership with the Highway Emergency Medical Services, they have decided to deploy 10 ambulances for emergency response.
These ambulances will be positioned at high-accident zones, as well as in areas where motorists may take longer to receive medical assistance in the event of an accident.
Mrs Shumba confirmed that these ambulances will attend to any victim involved in road traffic accidents.
She urged the media to help raise awareness of the toll-free number to ensure that accident victims receive timely assistance.
Civil Protection Unit calls for enhanced driver education and community involvement
Civil Protection Unit Chief Director Mr Nathan Nkomo emphasised the need to educate drivers on the importance of observing traffic rules and regulations and maintaining discipline on the road.
Mr Nkomo stated that they are actively involving traditional and church leaders in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) through training and coordination, recognising their crucial roles in community preparedness and response.
He highlighted that new legislation (the DRM Bill) aims to decentralise disaster management to local levels, such as wards, leveraging existing structures like churches for community outreach and resilience building, according to recent reports from late 2025.
New measures to combat drunk driving announced
Colonel (Rtd) Onward Tokoda, Director of Procurement in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, who is representing Minister Kazembe, is now giving his speech.
He stated that the road remains the primary means of moving people and goods, and there is a pressing need to address the issues of road carnage.
He applauded the media for disseminating information about road safety, adding, “However, it is disheartening to note that road crashes continue to claim lives on the country’s roads.”
Colonel Tokoda mentioned that the Police will be strategically positioned along the highways and that they will use breathalysers to detect drunken drivers.
He urged motorists to exercise caution when travelling on the roads, especially during this period.
Colonel Tokoda warned that the Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law, without fear or favour.
Minister Mhona highlights urgent need for road safety during festive season
Minister Mhona is currently giving his remarks, applauding the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe for its leadership in road traffic safety education and awareness.
He expressed appreciation for traditional leaders, transport operators’ associations, and all relevant stakeholders, urging continued collaboration for road safety.
With the festive season approaching, he noted the expected increase in road traffic density.
“We all know that the festive season is synonymous with excessive excitement,” he said, highlighting that this time often leads to unfortunate fatalities.
Minister Mhona reported alarming statistics: an average of five people die on Zimbabwe’s roads each day, equating to about 2,000 fatalities annually. Additionally, 38 individuals sustain injuries daily, translating to 13,680 annually.
These accidents result in an estimated US$406 million loss each year, accounting for 3% of GDP.
“These figures remain high and require our diligence. I have personally attended numerous accident scenes, and it is painful to see precious lives lost. On behalf of the Government and myself, I extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved,” he stated.
He stressed that the Government is committed to improving road safety management.
High on the agenda is the forthcoming National Development Strategy (NDS) 2 (2026–2030), which aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities by half by 2030.
Minister Mhona also introduced plans for a Road Accident Fund, which is set to provide crucial support to accident victims within the first hour post-incident.
This fund aims to alleviate the financial burden on victims and their families, ensuring they receive necessary medical and funeral assistance.
“The post-crash management framework will significantly enhance emergency response and support for road traffic accident victims,” he concluded.
Chief Chinhamora urges collective action to curb road accidents
In his vote of thanks, Chief Chinhamora expressed concern that accidents continue to increase nationwide, highlighting the need for collective efforts to curb road carnage.
He stated that, as chiefs, they will continue to play their role in educating people about safe driving and exercising caution on the roads.
Chief Chinhamora mentioned that they have various methods to communicate these important messages to the public.
He urged the police to ensure that the law is enforced against kombi and bus drivers found to be under the influence or violating traffic rules and regulations.
He expressed dismay that alcohol and drugs are sold at some bus termini across the country.
The Chief urged officials from the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) to ensure that no unroadworthy vehicles are permitted on the nation’s roads and that such vehicles should be impounded.
Chief Chinhamora has now concluded his closing remarks.
Minister Mhona is now commissioning the ambulances before conducting awareness campaigns along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road.
