The troubling rise in road accidents in Zimbabwe, particularly those involving public transport, is a dire issue that continues to claim lives across the nation.
While road conditions have improved due to ongoing rehabilitation projects, the number of accidents is still climbing. The problem is not just about bad roads anymore—it’s about the systemic issues that have taken root, including the erosion of law enforcement, corruption, and a culture of silence among passengers.
Despite efforts to rehabilitate Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure, the root cause of many accidents seems to lie in the failure to enforce road safety policies effectively. In 2024, several new road safety policies were introduced, but the reality on the ground is that enforcement is strikingly inadequate. The lack of action from authorities has allowed dangerous driving habits to flourish, creating an environment where drivers and passengers feel empowered to flout safety rules without fear of consequence.
The problem is further exacerbated by the corruption within law enforcement. A viral video of traffic officers accepting bribes highlighted the scale of this issue. The video exposed what many already suspected—that some police officers are more interested in collecting bribes than enforcing the law. This blatant corruption sends a clear message to drivers and passengers: the law can be bought, and safety is secondary to personal gain.
But it’s not just the officers at fault. Passengers, too, play a role in this culture of impunity. When they witness transport operators bribing police officers, they often choose to remain silent, fearing retaliation or simply accepting it as part of the daily routine. Passengers regularly overlook overcrowding and the mixing of goods with people, despite the obvious risks. In many cases, the fear of confrontation or the lack of alternative transport options leads them to ignore these dangerous practices. This silence from passengers, while understandable in some cases, further emboldens operators to continue their reckless behavior.
Public transport vehicles, driven by individuals who see little incentive to obey the law, become mobile hazards on the roads. Drivers, under pressure to make quick profits, overload vehicles, drive at excessive speeds, and disregard safety measures. The conductors, meanwhile, often stoke tensions among passengers or encourage unsafe behavior, further contributing to the volatile environment. Conflicts, fueled by frustration or impatience, frequently escalate into emotional confrontations or even physical violence on the buses.
This toxic cycle of corruption, poor enforcement, and complacency is a recipe for disaster. Until Zimbabwe addresses the systemic problems within its law enforcement agencies and enforces road safety policies without fear or favor, the country will continue to experience a sharp rise in road accidents. Passengers must also be empowered to speak out and demand accountability, rather than turning a blind eye to dangerous practices.
While road rehabilitation is a step in the right direction, it alone cannot solve the problem. Effective enforcement of traffic laws, a crackdown on corruption, and a cultural shift in both operators and passengers are essential to breaking this cycle.
Only then can we begin to reduce the number of road accidents and protect the lives of all Zimbabweans on the roads.
