Concern is mounting over the safety of pedestrians on Zimbabwe’s roads after the Zimbabwe Republic Police revealed that the just-ended Easter holidays were marked by a worrying surge in pedestrian fatalities despite an overall drop in accidents.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 337 road traffic accidents were recorded during the holiday period, down from 384 in 2025. But the decline in crashes did little to ease fears, as the death toll rose to 30 people, up from 24 last year.
What has alarmed authorities most is the profile of the victims.
Of the 30 fatalities, 19 were pedestrians—many struck while attempting to cross roads or while standing at accident scenes. Nyathi described the trend as “deeply concerning,” pointing to multiple hit-and-run incidents in which motorists failed to stop after knocking down victims.
In one of the most tragic cases, seven pedestrians were killed on the spot after being struck by a vehicle while attending to a separate accident scene. In other incidents, three pedestrians were killed in separate hit-and-run crashes over the same holiday period.
Passengers accounted for seven of the deaths, while a motorcyclist was also among those killed.
Authorities noted a positive development in that no major public service vehicle accidents were recorded, with police commending operators for improved compliance with road safety regulations.
However, the broader picture remains troubling. Police say reckless driving, failure to observe traffic laws and the growing tendency of motorists to flee accident scenes continue to undermine road safety efforts.
“The law is clear—drivers involved in accidents must stop and render assistance,” Nyathi said, warning that those who violate traffic regulations will face the full force of the law.
As Zimbabwe’s roads grow busier during holiday periods, the latest figures highlight a persistent vulnerability: pedestrians, often the most exposed road users, continue to pay the highest price.
