Road deaths and accidents surged during this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, with 24 people killed and 96 injured, police said Wednesday.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reported 196 accidents between Aug. 11 and 13, up from 149 during the same period in 2024. Fatal crashes rose from eight to 13, while fatalities increased from 16 to 24.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding and unsafe overtaking were among the leading causes.
One of the worst crashes occurred Aug. 11 on the Mutare-Masvingo Road, where six Zion Christian Church members died and 16 others were injured after a hired Quantum minibus veered off the road and overturned. The group was travelling from Gokwe to Chimanimani.
On Aug. 12, four people died and 17 were injured when a rear tyre burst on a Toyota Hiace carrying 22 passengers along the Bindura-Shamva Road, causing it to leave the road and overturn.
Other incidents included two deaths on the Masvingo-Mbalabala Road, the death of a 16-year-old girl in Checheche after falling from a moving lorry, and several pedestrian accidents in Harare.
Nyathi urged motorists to service their vehicles, avoid speeding, and overtake only when safe. He also called on pedestrians to wear reflective clothing at night and for all road users to follow traffic regulations.
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