Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu ,[email protected]
The public consultations for the Road Accident Fund Bill are taking place today in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
The bill aims to provide timely medical aid, funeral expenses, and compensation to victims of road traffic accidents and their families.
This consultative process follows Cabinet’s approval of the bill’s principles in June 2025. The fund will primarily be financed through Motor Vehicle Insurance premiums and is designed to ensure emergency treatment, medical care, and funeral support for road accident victims nationwide.
The bill also seeks to promote safe and sustainable transportation while working toward reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
Stakeholders attending the consultations include heads of government departments, civic society organisations, traditional leaders, and local residents.
The first consultation was held yesterday in Bulawayo. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for Wednesday in Gweru and Thursday in Chinhoyi.
At a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere highlighted that the Road Accident Fund will address significant gaps in current post-accident management frameworks within insurance companies.
Currently, insurance packages often lack provisions for the immediate evacuation of accident survivors to medical facilities, and emergency service providers are hesitant to offer care without guaranteed payment.
Dr Muswere emphasised that the fund will strengthen the capacity of emergency responders and medical institutions to provide effective and timely assistance to road traffic accident victims.
The main objective of the Road Accident Fund Bill is to reduce deaths and injuries from road accidents by 2030 through improved access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems alongside enhanced road safety measures.
