As Zimbabweans prepare to commemorate Easter and our cherished Independence Day, we are once again confronted by a grim and familiar reality—tragic road accidents that snatch away lives, leave families broken, and cast a dark shadow over what should be moments of joy, reflection and national unity.
Each year, these holidays bring an increase in traffic volumes across the country. Bus terminals fill with travelers, highways are packed with families journeying to reunite, and celebrations in both urban and rural communities light up the spirit of the nation. Yet, all too often, the nation is left counting bodies instead of blessings.
This editorial is a heartfelt plea to all drivers—whether you’re a kombi operator, bus driver, private motorist, or cross-border transporter: drive to arrive. Do not drive to impress. Do not drive to intimidate. And certainly, do not drive to become a statistic.
There is nothing brave or skillful about speeding, overtaking on blind curves, or driving under the influence. There is nothing celebratory about reckless behavior that leaves children orphaned, dreams shattered, and families in mourning. The road is not a race track; it is a shared space that requires mutual respect, discipline and awareness.
Public transport operators, especially, must be reminded: your responsibility goes far beyond beating targets or pleasing your employers. You are trusted with human lives—mothers, fathers, children—who all deserve to reach their destinations safely. If you must drive, do so with the reverence of someone carrying a nation’s soul.
To the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Traffic Safety Council, VID, and all enforcement agencies, this period is not one to relax, but to intensify operations and act without fear or favor. Let spot checks be meaningful. Let unroadworthy vehicles be removed from the roads, and let every arrest send a message that life is sacred.
To passengers and citizens: speak out. If a driver is endangering lives, say something. Record it. Report it. Because silence in the face of danger is complicity.
This Easter and Independence holiday, let us choose to celebrate life—not mourn preventable deaths. Let our joy not be interrupted by wailing sirens and funeral processions. Let our children not wake up to news of their parent’s absence. Let our hospitals not be filled with crash victims when they should be centers of healing and hope.
We urge every Zimbabwean to reflect deeply on their role in road safety. One bad decision behind the wheel can become a national tragedy. But one good decision—a cautious turn, a reduced speed, a sober choice—can be the reason a family remains whole.
Let’s drive with purpose. Let’s drive with care. And most importantly, let’s drive to live.
