Zimbabwe pushes for robust Road Accident Fund

HARARE – Zimbabwe is moving towards establishing a Road Accident Fund aimed at strengthening post‑crash management and providing social safety nets for victims. The initiative, led by Transport Minister Felix Mhona, is part of government efforts to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least half by 2030.


Speaking during a consultative meeting on the Road Accident Fund Bill in Harare on Friday, Mhona said the exercise comes at a time when President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is intensifying efforts to develop strong policy, legal and administrative frameworks to transform the country’s road safety and post‑crash management systems.

“Occasions of this nature provide us with a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and hear directly from the constituencies which matter — the real stakeholders of road safety, including members of the public. We have committed ourselves to fully engaging all those in the ecosystem of road safety management and regulation in general, and post‑crash management in particular,” Mhona said.

He described road accidents as a national scourge and one of the leading causes of death in Zimbabwe, stressing that “it is no longer business as usual”.

“In that vein, our programming, our planning and policy, and legislative interventions should be decisive, prompt and effective,” he added.

Zimbabwe continues to record high numbers of road traffic accidents, a situation worsened by a growing vehicle population and strained road infrastructure.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume welcomed the proposed fund, saying it could help restore order in urban areas if passed into law.

“If passed into law, this bill will bring sanity to the discord we are fighting daily, which has caused various accidents. Our role as local government is to co‑operate with central government and work closely together despite our diverse backgrounds,” Mafume said.

He added that with ongoing and upcoming road infrastructure developments, Harare is poised to move away from what he described as a “refugee camp status” and transform into a world‑class city.

The proposed fund will draw 35% from compulsory third‑party motor vehicle insurance, currently pegged at US$35.65. It will complement existing funding sources such as fuel levies, tobacco and alcohol products, vehicle importation and traffic offences.

Key benefits of the fund will include evacuation costs from accident scenes, medical expenses, funeral expenses and related claims.

Mafume emphasised the need for strong collaboration between local and central government to achieve national road safety goals. The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is expected to play a central role in enforcing road safety regulations and promoting awareness.