Felix Mhona ministry to blame for road carnage

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has accused the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development of failing to properly organise the transport sector, warning that the lapse has contributed to a sharp rise in road traffic accidents, which doubled last year.

In a statement, the rights body said a disorganised transport system, coupled with deteriorating road infrastructure, has created a dangerous environment for motorists, passengers and pedestrians alike.

"The ZHRC notes that a disorganised transport sector overwhelms law enforcement capabilities. Coupled with deteriorating road infrastructure, potholes, missing signage and non-functional traffic lights, the environment becomes predictably hazardous, especially during high-volume periods like the festive season," the commission said.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), road traffic accidents during the 2025 festive season surged dramatically. Statistics released for the period between December 15 and 26, 2025, show that accidents doubled from 1 211 in 2024 to 2 412 in 2025.

The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has attributed 94 percent of road accidents to human error, while cellphone use by drivers and pedestrians is said to contribute to about 10 percent of road deaths.

ZHRC said the absence of a reliable mass public transport system has forced commuters to rely heavily on pirate kombis, commonly known as mishikashika, placing pressure on informal operators.

"The lack of a mass public transport system results in pressure on private transport operators who step in to save the public from the shortage of transport," the statement read.

"Drivers in the informal transport sector often face extreme economic pressure to complete more trips, leading to dangerous practices such as overloading, speeding, overtaking on blind curves, driving while fatigued and ignoring traffic laws."

The commission noted that the rising death toll disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including the poor, the elderly, women and children.

"Through its human rights monitoring and assessment functions, ZHRC notes that lack of reliable, affordable formal public transport led to the proliferation of poorly maintained vehicles, including unroadworthy buses, kombis and private cars operating as informal taxis," it said.

"Crowding turns these vehicles into mass death traps, significantly increasing fatality rates when accidents occur, as evidenced by the high passenger death toll, not to mention the indignity the commuting public suffers from being packed into those vehicles."

To stem the carnage, the commission urged Government to institute urgent reforms, including an immediate public inquiry into the causes of road accidents.

"The ZHRC recommends that the Government of Zimbabwe conducts an immediate inquiry into the causes of the road carnage, with findings made public," the statement said.

It further called on authorities to invest in a formalised, regulated and safe public transport system, supported by proper terminals, trained and fairly compensated drivers, and functional emergency medical services, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

ZHRC also urged Government to prioritise infrastructure development, including pedestrian walkways, bicycle lanes and road repairs, and to develop a well-funded National Road Safety Strategy that recognises safe mobility as a fundamental human right.

According to the World Health Organisation, Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of fatal traffic accidents in Africa, recording an estimated 30 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants.