Harare, (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwean Parliament has raised a red flag over the increase in traffic accidents, decaying infrastructure and weak enforcement which have seen the road safety situation deteriorating sharply.
In a report tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development said during the first quarter of this year, the country recorded 15 263 road accidents, a 15 percent increase from the 13 317 incidents reported during the same period last year.
During the Easter and Independence holidays accidents surged to 384, up from 86 in 2024, while injuries rose from 159 to 178, adding the Zimbabwe Republic Police also reported 1 824 hit-and-run cases, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
The Committee noted that many highways, feeder roads and urban routes are severely dilapidated, characterised by potholes, poor signage and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure.
It said according to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe indicated that urban roads accounted for 57.2 percent of all accidents due to heavy traffic flow, while dual carriageways contributed 21.1 percent, wide tarred rural roads without fencing 12.3 percent and narrow urban roads 9.6 percent.
Legislators also expressed concern over the rising number of old, poorly maintained vehicles, particularly ageing AVM “chicken buses,” many of which operate with worn suspensions, faulty brakes and tyre defects, and are frequently overloaded.
The committee also blamed weak enforcement at the Vehicle Inspection Depot and police checkpoints, which are often compromised by corruption.
Despite 56 394 arrests and 27 552 vehicle impoundments in the first quarter, including pirate taxis and unlicensed buses, the Committee said enforcement blitzes only offer short-term relief since when the operations end, dangerous driving habits quickly return.
The Committee also raised alarm over widespread bribery at roadblocks, a practice that enables unlicensed drivers and unroadworthy vehicles to pass through unchecked, sometimes leading to serious accidents.
The Parliamentarians warned that without urgent reforms to infrastructure, enforcement systems and vehicle inspection procedures, road carnage in the country is likely to worsen.
New Ziana
