Harare, (New Ziana) – Harare Metropolitan province accounted for more than half of accidents that were recorded throughout the country last year.
This is according to data released by the Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) this week.
In its Extreme Events and Disasters Report for 2024, the agency reported that of the more than 55 000 road traffic accidents that happened, 34 057 of them occurred in Harare, claiming 450 lives and leaving 4 124 injured.
The report provided statistical information on extreme events and disasters that have affected Zimbabwe and is intended to inform evidence-based policy decisions, enhance disaster risk management frameworks, and promote the development of adaptive and resilient systems capable of safeguarding the country’s socio-economic development.
“A total of 55 645 road accidents were reported in 2024. Harare province recorded the highest number (34 057 accidents), accounting for 61.2 percent of the total. Of the 55 645 reported accidents during that year, 7 225 of them occurred along the country’s major highways.
“Harare-Bulawayo and Harare-Mutare highways recorded the highest numbers – 1 595 and 1 561 respectively, constituting percentages of 22.1 and 21.6. Among the 781 recorded fatalities, Harare-Bulawayo highway had the highest death toll of 152.
“From the reported accidents in 2024, fatal accidents accounted for 1 682 cases of which 367 were recorded in Harare province,” ZIMSTAT said.
Other provinces that recorded high numbers of accidents during the period under review were Bulawayo (4 657) where 94 people were killed and 947 injured, Mashonaland West (3 339) with 286 deaths and 987 injured people, Midlands (3 218) with 191 fatalities and 987 injuries, Manicaland (2 631) with 218 deaths and 971 injuries. Mashonaland East had 2 017 accidents, resulting in 257 deaths and 886 injuries.
Matabeleland North province had the least number of recorded accidents (1 103) as well as the fewest number of people who either passed away as a result of the accidents (91).
Mashonaland Central (1 466), Matabeleland South (1 498) and Masvingo (1 659) also recorded fewer accidents.
In the meantime, data from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) show that during the first six months of this year, 28 159 accidents were recorded in the country, up from 25 968 during the same period in 2024.
This marked an increase of 2 191 accidents.
New Ziana
