By Fanuel Chinowaita
At least 100 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents recorded across Zimbabwe during the 2025 festive season, as the number of crashes more than doubled compared to the same period last year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said.
In a press statement released today December 2025, police said 2,412 road traffic accidents were recorded between 15 and 26 December 2025, up from 1,211 accidents recorded during the same period in 2024.
The number of fatal accidents increased to 87 from 65 last year, while 471 people were injured, compared to 401 in 2024.
The deadliest accident occurred on 17 December 2025 along the Harare–Nyamapanda Road near Suswe, where ten people died after a Honda Fit travelling from Mutoko to Kotwa collided head-on with a haulage truck.
“A Honda Fit carrying ten occupants was involved in a head-on collision with a haulage truck travelling towards Harare. The collision resulted in the death of all ten occupants in the Honda Fit vehicle,” police said.
Police statistics show that passengers (44) and pedestrians (37) accounted for the highest number of deaths, followed by drivers (10), riders (4), cyclists (3) and scotch cart occupants (2).
According to the ZRP, most fatal crashes were preventable and were mainly caused by dangerous overtaking, encroaching into oncoming traffic lanes, excessive speeding and poor vehicle maintenance.
“Excessive speeding was identified as the major contributing factor, frequently resulting in loss of vehicle control, particularly during early morning and night-time hours,” the police said.
The ZRP also raised concern over tyre bursts, especially involving public service vehicles, attributing the problem to worn-out tyres, overloading and failure to conduct routine vehicle inspections.
Police further warned pedestrians against unsafe behaviour, noting that some victims were struck while walking on roads using earphones and listening to music.
As the New Year holiday approaches, police urged motorists and pedestrians to strictly observe road rules to prevent further loss of life.