Harare, (New Ziana) -The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has issued a stern warning to motorists and pedestrians following a sharp increase in railway-related accidents, including level crossing collisions and fatalities involving people walking on tracks.
In a statement, NRZ said in the first half of this year, 10 individuals were struck by trains while walking on or near railway lines, four of them dying and six being seriously injured, while 13 people were injured in 13 level crossing accidents were recorded.
“The National Railways of Zimbabwe is alarmed by the increasing number of level crossing accidents and incidents of people being hit by trains while walking on tracks. In the first half of the year, 13 level crossing accidents were recorded resulting in 13 injuries while 10 people were hit by trains walking on tracks or close to the railway line leading to four deaths and six injuries,” it said.
The parastatal said if this trajectory continues, the NRZ warns that the death toll could far exceed that for last year, which saw thirteen level crossing accidents, claiming one life and injuring twenty six, while five pedestrians were killed and eight injured in train collisions.
Beyond the tragic loss of life and life-altering injuries, railway accidents severely disrupt NRZ operations as each incident forces trains to halt while crews await police clearance, causing delays across key transport corridors, said the parastatal.
“Safety on railway tracks is a shared responsibility. We urge all road users to strictly obey traffic laws at level crossings, stop, look, and listen for approaching trains. A few seconds of patience can prevent a lifetime of regret,” it added.
The NRZ called for heightened public awareness, stressing that railway tracks are not footpaths, and urged pedestrians to avoid walking on or alongside railway tracks, to cross only after confirming that no trains are approaching, and to use designated pedestrian crossings such as footbridges where available.
Motorists, meanwhile, were reminded to exercise extreme caution at level crossings, avoiding reckless maneuvers that endanger lives.
As Zimbabwe’s rail network remains a critical transport artery, the NRZ’s plea underscores an urgent need for behavioral change among citizens to prioritise safety.
New Ziana
