By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has attributed the rise in fatal road traffic accidents during the 2026 Easter Holiday to reckless driving behaviours, particularly speeding, unsafe overtaking, and failure to observe road safety precautions.
In a press statement released on 8 April 2026, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reported that although the total number of road accidents decreased from 384 in 2025 to 337 in 2026, fatalities increased from 24 to 30, raising concern among authorities.
Police said speeding remained the leading cause of crashes during the holiday period, with many motorists losing control of their vehicles, resulting in overturns and head-on collisions. Unsafe overtaking was also identified as a major contributing factor.
The statement further highlighted a worrying trend of hit-and-run incidents, where drivers fled accident scenes instead of offering assistance or reporting to authorities, in violation of road safety regulations.
Pedestrians were the most affected group, accounting for 19 of the 30 deaths (63.3%), followed by passengers with seven fatalities, drivers with three, and one rider.
Several fatal incidents were recorded across major highways, including the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road, where seven people died in a multiple-vehicle crash involving a truck and three light motor vehicles.
Another six people were killed along the Harare–Masvingo Road after a head-on collision.
In addition, hit-and-run crashes in Masvingo Province claimed several lives, including pedestrians struck by unidentified motorists who fled the scenes.
The police urged motorists to exercise caution, obey speed limits, and avoid dangerous overtaking.
Drivers were also reminded to stop and render assistance in the event of accidents, use reflective warning triangles, and report incidents promptly.
The ZRP said it remains committed to reducing road fatalities and called on all road users to prioritize safety and responsibility on the country’s roads.