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Free emergency medical care for road accident victims
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In a major overhaul of Zimbabwe's post-accident emergency response system, the Government is proposing a new law that will ensure road traffic accident (RTA) victims receive free emergency medical attention and evacuation, regardless of their financial status.
The draft legislation - the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Bill - was approved in principle by Cabinet last week and is expected to fundamentally change how victims are assisted after crashes. Under the proposal, victims will be treated at the scene, evacuated to health facilities, and, in cases of fatality, receive funeral assistance - all at no cost to themselves or their families.
The fund will be primarily financed through the redirection of 20 percent of third-party motor vehicle insurance premiums towards the RAF. According to the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC), third-party motor vehicle insurance generated ZiG2 billion and US$112 million in 2024, accounting for nearly half of all short-term insurance income.
Currently, Zimbabwe's accident response system has been widely criticised for being slow and inaccessible, with emergency responders often demanding upfront payment or proof of medical aid before attending to crash victims. This delay has resulted in unnecessary deaths and long-term injuries during the so-called "golden hour" — the first 60 minutes after a serious injury.
"The current framework is weak and virtually non-existent," reads the memorandum of principles presented by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
"There is no provision for immediate evacuation or funding of emergency care under existing insurance packages. Emergency services are generally reluctant to act without guaranteed payment."
The RAF, once operational, will fill that gap. Crucially, it will adopt a no-fault compensation model, meaning victims can access medical and funeral assistance without having to wait for court rulings on who was responsible for the crash.
"After an accident, a claimant receives benefit regardless of who is at fault," the memorandum notes. "However, the extent of the coverage will still depend on eventual fault determination."
The fund will not cover damage to vehicles or transported goods, focusing solely on bodily injury and funeral costs. Funeral expenses will be limited to actual burial or cremation costs.
Currently, of the total premium collected under third-party insurance, insurers retain 69.3 percent, with the remainder shared among brokers, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), stamp duty and IPEC.
Under the proposed reform, insurers will keep 49.3 percent, with 20 percent redirected to the RAF. Treasury will also support the fund through additional contributions.
This reallocation is expected to provide sufficient capital for the fund to begin operating effectively, with a legal provision allowing the percentage to be revised in future.
TSCZ managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa described the proposed Bill as a life-saving game-changer.
"We are elated that Cabinet has approved the principles," he said. "It addresses a long-standing gap in our road safety strategy. Emergency responders were hesitant to assist without assurance of payment, while insurers only compensated after fault had been determined in court."
"This law will ensure victims receive help when they need it most — within the golden hour."
The urgency of the new law is underscored by sobering statistics. Between January and September 2024, Zimbabwe recorded 39,461 road accidents, up from 36,628 in the same period in 2023. Fatalities rose to 1,532, while injuries increased to 7,438.
According to the 2022 Road Safety Performance Review, sponsored by the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, a road crash occurs every 15 minutes in Zimbabwe. The country loses over 1,800 lives to traffic accidents annually, while over 10,000 people are injured.
Once enacted, the Road Accident Fund is expected to become a key pillar in Zimbabwe's road safety framework, aligning with the United Nations' Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
The draft legislation - the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Bill - was approved in principle by Cabinet last week and is expected to fundamentally change how victims are assisted after crashes. Under the proposal, victims will be treated at the scene, evacuated to health facilities, and, in cases of fatality, receive funeral assistance - all at no cost to themselves or their families.
The fund will be primarily financed through the redirection of 20 percent of third-party motor vehicle insurance premiums towards the RAF. According to the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC), third-party motor vehicle insurance generated ZiG2 billion and US$112 million in 2024, accounting for nearly half of all short-term insurance income.
Currently, Zimbabwe's accident response system has been widely criticised for being slow and inaccessible, with emergency responders often demanding upfront payment or proof of medical aid before attending to crash victims. This delay has resulted in unnecessary deaths and long-term injuries during the so-called "golden hour" — the first 60 minutes after a serious injury.
"The current framework is weak and virtually non-existent," reads the memorandum of principles presented by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
"There is no provision for immediate evacuation or funding of emergency care under existing insurance packages. Emergency services are generally reluctant to act without guaranteed payment."
The RAF, once operational, will fill that gap. Crucially, it will adopt a no-fault compensation model, meaning victims can access medical and funeral assistance without having to wait for court rulings on who was responsible for the crash.
"After an accident, a claimant receives benefit regardless of who is at fault," the memorandum notes. "However, the extent of the coverage will still depend on eventual fault determination."
The fund will not cover damage to vehicles or transported goods, focusing solely on bodily injury and funeral costs. Funeral expenses will be limited to actual burial or cremation costs.
Currently, of the total premium collected under third-party insurance, insurers retain 69.3 percent, with the remainder shared among brokers, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), stamp duty and IPEC.
Under the proposed reform, insurers will keep 49.3 percent, with 20 percent redirected to the RAF. Treasury will also support the fund through additional contributions.
This reallocation is expected to provide sufficient capital for the fund to begin operating effectively, with a legal provision allowing the percentage to be revised in future.
TSCZ managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa described the proposed Bill as a life-saving game-changer.
"We are elated that Cabinet has approved the principles," he said. "It addresses a long-standing gap in our road safety strategy. Emergency responders were hesitant to assist without assurance of payment, while insurers only compensated after fault had been determined in court."
"This law will ensure victims receive help when they need it most — within the golden hour."
The urgency of the new law is underscored by sobering statistics. Between January and September 2024, Zimbabwe recorded 39,461 road accidents, up from 36,628 in the same period in 2023. Fatalities rose to 1,532, while injuries increased to 7,438.
According to the 2022 Road Safety Performance Review, sponsored by the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, a road crash occurs every 15 minutes in Zimbabwe. The country loses over 1,800 lives to traffic accidents annually, while over 10,000 people are injured.
Once enacted, the Road Accident Fund is expected to become a key pillar in Zimbabwe's road safety framework, aligning with the United Nations' Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Source - Sunday Mail
