Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba and Remember Deketeke
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) says Zimbabwe recorded a slight decline in road traffic deaths last year but warns that the numbers remain worryingly high, calling for collective national efforts to further reduce fatalities on the country’s roads.
TSCZ managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa revealed this on the sidelines of the council’s annual general meeting in Harare.
The meeting brought together senior Government officials, board members, and management, with the Transport and Infrastructural Development Ministry Chief Director of Roads, Engineer David Jana, representing Minister Felix Mhona.
Also in attendance were TSCZ board chairman Mr Kura Sibanda, vice chairperson Ms Lizwe Bunu and other board members.
He said road deaths fell to 2 015 in 2024, down from 2 099 the previous year, a development he attributed to intensified awareness campaigns and enforcement initiatives.
“While the numbers are still alarming, we are at least encouraged by the fact that there has been that reduction,” said Mr Munodawafa.
“We believe that if we collectively work as Zimbabweans, we should be able to further push the numbers downwards, and more importantly, make that downward reduction sustainable.”
Mr Munodawafa said the council will continue strengthening education and safety campaigns, especially during the festive season when accidents tend to spike due to increased travel.
He said the council’s goal was not only to reduce accidents but to build a culture of responsible driving and road use across the country,” he said.
“The reduction is encouraging, but we cannot be complacent. Every life lost on the road is one too many.”
Mr Sibanda described the AGM as a cornerstone of good corporate governance, emphasising transparency, accountability, and engagement with stakeholders as the bedrock of the council’s operations.
“Your presence today reflects your unwavering commitment to the organisation’s vision and mission,” he said.
“Over the past year, we have navigated a dynamic environment with resilience and purpose, guided by our shared values and strategic objectives.
“This gathering allows us to assess our performance, deliberate on priorities, and reaffirm our resolve to advance road safety.”
Mr Sibanda commended the council management and staff for their dedication and professionalism, and thanked stakeholders for their continued trust and support.
“It is through this partnership that we have achieved notable progress and laid a solid foundation for future success,” he said.
“As we proceed with our agenda, I urge open dialogue and constructive input. Your insights are invaluable in shaping the trajectory of our organisation and ensuring alignment with best practices in governance and service delivery.”
Ms Bunu said the council’s achievements during the year under review reflected strong governance, commitment to compliance, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“It is a pleasure today that we have held our annual general meeting for the year ending 31 December 2024,” said Ms Bunu.
“We are very delighted to note the progress that the Traffic Safety Council has made during this period under review.”
She said the council had made headway in several SDG areas, including quality education and good health and well-being, which directly tie into the organisation’s mandate of promoting road safety and responsible road use.
Ms Bunu also expressed satisfaction with the council’s governance standards, noting that both the board and its committees had fulfilled their oversight duties diligently throughout the year.
“We are delighted that we have got a clean bill presented today, and we are aligned in terms of compliance issues,” she said.
“The board has been attending its meetings and committee meetings well, and in terms of compliance, we are proud that the Traffic Safety Council is presenting a clean audit report today.”
The meeting comes as the Ministry of Transport intensifies efforts to transform the TSCZ from a purely advisory body into a statutory agency with enforcement powers.
Currently, the Council’s role is largely centred on road safety education and awareness campaigns.
Once fully transformed, it will be empowered to enforce traffic regulations, issue tickets for offences, and coordinate national road safety initiatives in a more robust and integrated manner.
The planned transformation is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s road safety framework, complementing ongoing Government efforts to reduce road traffic accidents and fatalities across the country.
