BY WANDILE TSHUMA
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has reported a worrying rise in road fatalities during the 2026 Easter holiday, despite a decline in the total number of accidents.
According to the police, 30 people were killed in road traffic accidents during the holiday period, up from 24 deaths recorded in 2025. However, the total number of accidents dropped from 384 in 2025 to 337 in 2026, while injuries also decreased significantly from 178 to 104.
Police said 22 of the recorded accidents were fatal, compared to 21 during the same period last year.
Pedestrians most affected
Pedestrians accounted for the majority of fatalities, making up 63% of the deaths (19 people). Passengers were the second most affected group with seven deaths (23%), followed by drivers with three (10%), while one rider (3%) was killed.
Speeding, overtaking blamed
Authorities identified speeding as the leading cause of accidents during the period, with many drivers losing control of their vehicles. Unsafe overtaking was also cited as a major contributor to head-on collisions.
Deadly incidents recorded
One of the most tragic incidents occurred on 2 April 2026, when six family members died after a head-on collision between a Toyota Corolla and a truck along the Harare–Masvingo Road.
In another traffic accident , seven people were killed and four injured on 3 April 2026 at the 51km peg along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road. A truck rammed into three vehicles — a Nissan March, Toyota Probox and Toyota Hiace — before striking pedestrians who had gathered at the scene.
Police warning
The police have urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic laws and avoid speeding, especially during peak travel periods. Drivers involved in accidents are also being reminded to stop, render assistance and report incidents.