Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE recorded a significant rise in road traffic accidents during the 2025 Independence and Easter holidays, although deaths declined, police reported yesterday.
A total of 384 incidents were recorded compared to 286 last year.
Fatal crashes decreased from 26 to 21, and deaths dropped from 27 to 24.
However, injuries increased by nearly 12 percent, rising from 159 to 178.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The reduction in fatalities is encouraging, but the overall rise in accidents and injuries points to persistent recklessness on our roads.”
He emphasised the need for continued vigilance in road safety measures.
The holiday period was marked by several tragic events, including three fatal hit-and-run cases within 48 hours.
On April 19, an unidentified motorcyclist struck and killed a pedestrian on the Mutoko-Chidye dust road.
The following day, a man was struck and killed at the Tynwald flyover by an unknown vehicle. Additionally, a 66-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck by a Nissan Caravan near a fuel service station in Whitehouse.
Comm Nyathi said cowardly acts of fleeing accident scenes by motorists will not be tolerated.
He reminded motorists of their legal obligation to assist accident victims.
The deadliest incident occurred on April 21 when an overloaded Toyota Hiace kombi carrying 18 passengers—four more than its licensed capacity—overturned at the 51km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Road, resulting in four fatalities.
In response, the ZRP is intensifying road safety campaigns and enforcement operations.
They are deploying more traffic officers and conducting stricter vehicle fitness checks, particularly targeting kombis, buses, and motorcycles, which are frequently involved in serious accidents.
Comm Nyathi said road safety is a shared responsibility, and urged “all motorists to prioritise the safety of themselves and others”.
Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation chairman Dr Samson Nhanhanga said they will continue to work with Government to reduce road carnage.
“For the first time in history, no bus was involved in an accident during a long holiday like Easter. We have been working with the Government through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe to reduce road carnage. We also put speed limiters on our buses and have been urging our crews to adhere to traffic laws.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure we reduce carnage on our roads, especially during the holidays, to encourage people to travel to various destinations,” said Dr Nhanhanga.
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