The Zimbabwe Republic Police has reported a sharp rise in road traffic accidents and fatalities during the 2025 festive season, with 100 people losing their lives between 15 and 26 December 2025.
According to the police, a total of 2 412 road traffic accidents were recorded during the period, almost double the 1 211 accidents reported over the same dates in 2024. Fatal accidents rose from 65 in 2024 to 87 in 2025, while the number of people injured increased from 401 to 471.
Among the fatalities, passengers accounted for the highest number of deaths (44), followed by pedestrians (37). Drivers (10), riders (4), cyclists (3), and scotch-cart operators (2) also lost their lives, underscoring the widespread impact of the accidents across all road user groups.
The most severe single incident occurred on 17 December 2025 at the 185-kilometre peg along the Harare–Nyamapanda Road near Suswe, where a Honda Fit carrying ten occupants was involved in a head-on collision with a haulage truck. All ten occupants of the Honda Fit died on the spot.
A preliminary analysis by the police identified driver behaviour and vehicle-related defects as the leading causes of the accidents. Most fatal crashes involved head-on collisions, largely resulting from vehicles encroaching into oncoming traffic lanes or engaging in dangerous overtaking manoeuvres. These actions were linked to poor judgement, disregard for traffic regulations, and failure to observe road markings.
Excessive speeding was cited as a major contributing factor, often leading to loss of vehicle control. Several crashes involved vehicles veering off the road, overturning, or colliding with trees and other fixed objects, particularly during early-morning and night-time hours. Police noted that fatigue and inattention further worsened these risks.
The analysis also highlighted tyre bursts as a significant cause of fatal accidents, especially among public service vehicles such as Toyota Hiace kombis. In many cases, tyre failure led to vehicles overturning, resulting in deaths and serious injuries. The police attributed this trend to poor vehicle maintenance, worn-out or substandard tyres, overloading, and failure to conduct routine vehicle inspections before journeys.
Overloading was identified as another critical risk factor, as it compromises vehicle stability, places excessive strain on tyres, and reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle, particularly at high speeds.
The police further expressed concern over the high number of pedestrian deaths, noting that some victims were struck while walking on roads with earphones plugged in, limiting their awareness of oncoming traffic.
Pedestrians were urged to avoid jaywalking, remain alert, and use designated crossing points and traffic-controlled intersections.
Notably, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reported that no major road traffic accident involving public service vehicles was recorded during the period.
As the New Year holiday approaches, the police have called on motorists to strictly adhere to road rules and regulations, exercise patience, and act responsibly on the roads to safeguard lives.
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