KEY POINTS
- Two crashes on key Zimbabwean roads left 10 dead and dozens injured, raising concerns about road safety enforcement.
- Overloaded vehicles and reckless driving contributed to fatalities, with calls for stricter regulations and enforcement growing.
- Zimbabwe’s Transport Safety Council cites deteriorating infrastructure and weak law enforcement as major causes of rising road accidents.
Zimbabwe is grappling with a worsening road safety crisis, as two deadly accidents over the weekend left at least 10 people dead and dozens more injured.
The first incident occurred early Sunday morning along the Harare-Bulawayo Road when an Inter Africa bus collided with a stationary truck.
Zimbabwe accidents highlight overloading, safety concerns
Seven people lost their lives, and the exact number of injuries is still being determined. The victims’ bodies were transported to Gweru Provincial Hospital for post-mortem examinations, while the injured are receiving medical care at the same facility. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
On Friday evening, according to ZimEye, another fatal accident unfolded on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. A Shackman Tipper truck, overloaded with 69 passengers—well above its capacity—overturned, killing two and injuring 51.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with many passengers trapped beneath the wreckage. Initial reports suggest that the truck was speeding at the time of the crash, and that the vehicle was not designed to carry passengers, raising further concerns over safety enforcement in the country.
Excessive overloading and reckless driving fuel fatalities
The accidents come as Zimbabwe’s road safety problems intensify. The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, known for its dangerous conditions, has been a hotspot for fatalities linked to overloading, speeding, and mechanical failures.
In the case of Friday’s truck crash, 16 passengers were able to escape unscathed, while the injured were rushed to Hwange Colliery Hospital. The bodies of the deceased have been taken for post-mortem analysis.
The country continues to see a high toll from non-passenger vehicles being used for transportation, a practice that remains prevalent despite safety regulations prohibiting it. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned against looting at accident sites, a criminal offense that often follows high-profile crashes.Â
Commissioner Paul Nyathi emphasized that the authorities are committed to enforcing the law, yet the scale of the crisis underscores the broader issue of inadequate enforcement.
Growing pressure for reform
The Transport Safety Council of Zimbabwe has repeatedly cited overloading, speeding, and deteriorating road conditions as leading contributors to the surge in traffic fatalities. Despite existing regulations, the enforcement of these laws remains lax, and public education campaigns on road safety are seen as insufficient.
As investigations into both accidents continue, authorities are facing mounting pressure to introduce more effective reforms to curb the increasing death toll on Zimbabwe’s roads. The tragic events of the weekend highlight the urgent need for stronger measures to improve road safety and protect the lives of citizens.
