Story by Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE recorded a sharp increase in road traffic accidents during the 2025 festive period, with fatalities, injuries, and total crashes all rising significantly compared to the same period last year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said.
Giving a road traffic accident report, National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 2 412 accidents were recorded between December 15 and December 26 2025, more than double the 1 211 accidents recorded during the corresponding period in 2024.
The number of fatal accidents rose to 87, up from 65 last year, while the death toll increased to 100 people, compared to 77 in 2024. A total of 471 people were injured, up from 401 in the same period last year.
“A total of 2 412 road traffic accidents were recorded between 15th and 26th December 2025, compared to 1 211 during the same period in 2024. In 2025, 87 fatal road traffic accidents were recorded, compared to 65 in 2024. The number of people killed stood at 100, compared to 77 in the same period the previous year. 471 people were injured, compared to 401 during the same period in 2024,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
Police said the most serious accident occurred on December 17, 2025 at the 185-kilometre peg along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road near Suswe, where a Honda Fit carrying 10 occupants collided head-on with a haulage truck travelling towards Harare.
“The collision resulted in the death of ten occupants in the Honda Fit vehicle,” Commissioner Nyathi said, describing the crash as the deadliest recorded during the period.
A preliminary analysis of accidents on major highways across the country indicates that driver behaviour and vehicle-related defects were the main causes of the surge in crashes, resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries.
Police said head-on collisions accounted for a large proportion of fatal accidents, largely due to vehicles encroaching into oncoming lanes and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.
“These actions demonstrate poor judgment, disregard for traffic regulations, and failure to observe road markings,” he said.
Excessive speeding was identified as the leading contributing factor, often resulting in drivers losing control of their vehicles. Several accidents involved vehicles veering off the road, overturning, or colliding with trees and fixed objects, particularly during early morning and nighttime hours.
“Excessive speeding was also identified as the major contributing factor in the reported accidents, frequently resulting in loss of vehicle control. Several incidents involved vehicles veering off the road, overturning, or colliding with trees or fixed objects, particularly during early morning and night-time hours,” Commissioner Nyathi added.
Police said these crashes suggested that motorists were travelling at speeds beyond their ability to control their vehicles, a risk frequently compounded by fatigue and inattention.
The report also highlighted tyre bursts as a significant factor in a number of fatal accidents, especially those involving public service vehicles such as Toyota Hiace kombis. In many cases, tyre failure caused vehicles to overturn, leading to deaths and serious injuries.
According to police, this trend points to poor vehicle maintenance, the use of worn-out or substandard tyres, overloading, and failure by drivers and operators to conduct routine inspections before journeys.
Overloading was also cited as a major risk factor, as it compromises vehicle stability, places excessive strain on tyres, and reduces a driver’s ability to maintain control, particularly at high speeds.
“The analysis further shows that tyre bursts were a contributing factor in a number of the fatal road traffic accidents, particularly those involving public service vehicles such as Toyota Hiace kombis. In these cases, tyre failure resulted in vehicles overturning, causing deaths and serious injuries to passengers. This trend points to poor vehicle maintenance, the use of worn-out or substandard tyres, overloading, and failure to conduct routine vehicle inspections before embarking on journeys,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
Police further expressed concern over the number of pedestrians killed during the period, describing the figures as disturbing. Some pedestrians were struck while walking on roads with earphones plugged in and listening to music, reducing their awareness of oncoming traffic.
“The Police urges pedestrians to exercise caution on the roads and observe all road rules and regulations. The number of pedestrians killed during the period is disturbing. It is also sad to note that some pedestrians were struck by vehicles while walking on the road with their cell phones plugged into earphones and listening to music. Pedestrians are reminded to avoid jaywalking and always use designated crossing points such as pedestrian crossings and traffic-controlled intersections,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
Despite the overall increase in accidents, police said no major road traffic accident involving public service vehicles was recorded during the period.
As the New Year holiday approaches, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has called on motorists to strictly adhere to road rules and regulations, urging drivers to act responsibly and safeguard lives on the country’s roads.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges motorists to strictly adhere to road rules and regulations. We call on drivers to act responsibly and be exemplary on the roads to safeguard lives as the New Year holiday approaches,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
