Harare, Zimbabwe — In the wake of a devastating traffic accident that left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a national call for urgent road safety reforms. The tragedy, which occurred on a rural highway near the town of Chivhu, has reignited public outrage over deteriorating road infrastructure and reckless driving on the country's highways.
The accident, involving a long-distance passenger bus and a haulage truck, occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Eyewitness reports indicate that the bus was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided head-on with the truck, resulting in an inferno that engulfed both vehicles.
Presidential Statement
In a strongly worded statement released by the Office of the Presidency, Mnangagwa expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims and declared the incident a “national emergency.”
> “This tragic loss of life is unacceptable. It is a wake-up call. I have directed the Ministry of Transport and all relevant agencies to immediately implement strict reforms. Our roads must be made safer — urgently.”
He further vowed to establish a National Road Safety Task Force within the coming week, comprised of officials from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Ministry of Transport, and independent road safety experts.
A Pattern of Tragedy
This crash is the fifth major accident involving passenger buses in Zimbabwe since the beginning of 2025. According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), over 1,200 road fatalities have been recorded since January — a staggering figure that points to systemic failures in both regulation and infrastructure maintenance.
Public Response and Protests
In Harare and Bulawayo, small groups of citizens gathered to hold peaceful protests, demanding better roads, tighter enforcement of commercial driver regulations, and the resignation of certain transport officials.
Social media was flooded with messages using the hashtag #FixOurRoadsZW, calling for transparency and accountability.
> “Our loved ones are dying every week. It’s not just an accident, it’s negligence,” said a protester outside Parliament.
Government Action Plan (Highlights)
President Mnangagwa announced the following initial actions:
Immediate audit of national roads, prioritizing high-risk zones.
Ban on night travel for all long-distance passenger buses until further notice.
Installation of speed cameras and stricter licensing protocols.
Public awareness campaigns on road safety.
The Ministry of Finance also pledged to allocate additional funds in the upcoming national budget specifically for highway repairs and emergency response systems.
Opposition Reaction
Members of the opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), welcomed the reforms but criticized the government for delayed action.
> “These reforms are too little, too late. Zimbabweans have been calling for road upgrades for over a decade,” said CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere.
A National Moment of Reflection
As Zimbabwe mourns the lives lost in this avoidable tragedy, pressure mounts on all levels of government to act decisively and transparently. Faith-based organizations and civil society groups have announced plans for a National Day of Prayer and Mourning this coming Sunday.