Government approves Road Accident Fund Bill

THE Government has approved the long-awaited Road Accident Fund (RAF) Bill, a landmark move aimed at providing timely support and protection for victims of road traffic accidents and their families.

The development comes as the country continues to grapple with an alarming rise in road crashes, particularly during public holidays such as Easter and the festive season, where lives are lost.

The RAF Bill, which was greenlighted by Cabinet this week, seeks to transform the country’s post-accident response system by offering emergency medical care, funeral assistance, and compensation to victims — services that are currently poorly funded or unavailable under traditional insurance schemes.

In his post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the fund is meant to fill glaring gaps in Zimbabwe’s accident response framework, as the existing insurance packages lack provisions for the immediate evacuation of accident survivors to medical facilities.

He said the fund will address these shortcomings by ensuring swift access to treatment and long-term rehabilitation, especially in emergencies where time is critical.

“Emergency services providers are reluctant to provide medical services in instances when payment for the service is not guaranteed. The current liability cover is inadequate to cover medical and funeral expenses,” said Dr Muswere.

He said the Road Accident Fund will place greater focus on enhanced responsiveness to post-crash emergencies to improve the ability of health and related systems to offer appropriate emergency treatment and longer-term rehabilitation for accident victims.

The minister said the fund will provide immediate support for medical and funeral expenses and will also enhance the capacity of emergency service providers and medical institutions to respond effectively to road accidents and save lives.

“The Road Accident Fund will be funded from Motor Vehicle Insurance premiums and any other such funds appropriated by Treasury,” said Dr Muswere.

He said the fund’s ultimate goal is to reduce road traffic accident-related deaths and injuries by 2030, in line with national and global road safety targets. It aims to make transport safer, more accessible, and more responsive in the event of a crash.

The bill was first proposed last year following a spate of tragic accidents, most notably in June last year, when 26 people were killed and 56 others injured in separate public transport crashes over two weeks.

At the time, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona highlighted the urgent need for a more effective post-crash system.

“Post-crash management is also another crucial pillar. We will achieve this through the establishment of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), which provides compulsory cover to all users of roads in Zimbabwe against injuries sustained or deaths arising from accidents involving motor vehicles within the borders of Zimbabwe. I will soon table the Cabinet principles relating to the RAF,” he said.

The RAF is envisioned to function as a social safety net, offering financial support for rehabilitation and compensation to the injured in a manner that is timely, dignified, and compassionate.

The fund will also boost the capacity of emergency medical providers and health facilities, allowing them to respond more effectively to accident scenes.

Minister Mhona also revealed that human error accounts for 97 percent of accidents on Zimbabwean roads.