Zimbabwe recorded a sharp drop in road accidents during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, with 145 crashes reported compared to 196 last year, police said.
However, 18 people lost their lives, and 51 others were injured in the two-day period.
“The road traffic accident statistics recorded during the 2026 Heroes and Defence Forces Holidays indicate a notable decline in road traffic accidents compared to the corresponding period in 2025,” said National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
“The decline coincided with intensified road safety awareness campaigns conducted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other stakeholders.”
While the total number of accidents dropped 26 per cent, fatal crashes remained unchanged at 13 in both years. The death toll fell from 24 to 18, a 25 per cent reduction, while injuries plummeted nearly 47 per cent from 96 to 51.
Commissioner Nyathi identified human error as the primary culprit, saying.
“The major causes of road traffic accidents recorded during the period were largely linked to human error and unsafe driving behaviour.”
He cited speeding, dangerous overtaking, driver inattention and reckless driving as key factors.
“Speeding and reckless driving were particularly major causes in fatal road traffic accidents recorded during the period,” he said.
Analysis of the 18 fatalities showed nine involved private vehicles, while the remaining eight involved lorries, ox-drawn scotch carts, a tractor and a motorcycle. None involved public service vehicles.
The deadliest incident occurred on 11 August along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, where a Mazda T35 carrying 29 passengers veered off the road and crashed into a river bank.
“Four passengers died on the spot, while 12 others sustained injuries.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends motorists and all other road users for the improved road safety behaviour exhibited during the 2026 Heroes and Defence Forces Holidays,” said Commissioner Nyathi, urging motorists to “sustain this positive behaviour beyond the holiday period.”
