145 accidents recorded over Heroes and Defence Forces holidays

ZIMBABWE recorded a 26% decline in road traffic accidents during this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, with 18 people killed compared to 24 during the corresponding period last year, police have said.

In a statement Friday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said 145 road traffic accidents were recorded between August 10 and 11, down from 196 recorded during the same period in 2025.

Although the number of fatal accidents remained unchanged at 13, fatalities fell by six, while injuries dropped significantly from 96 to 51.

“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,” ZRP said.

Police attributed the decline to increased road safety awareness campaigns conducted by the force and other stakeholders.

“The decline coincided with intensified road safety awareness campaigns conducted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other stakeholders,” the statement added.

Passengers accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with nine people killed, followed by pedestrians at five. Two people travelling in scotch carts were killed, while one driver and one rider also died.

Police said none of the 18 fatalities involved public service vehicles.

“Nine involved private or family-owned vehicles, while the remaining eight involved three lorries, two ox-drawn scotch carts, a tractor and a motor cycle,” police said.

The force said human error and unsafe driving behaviour remained the major causes of crashes.

“These included driver inattention or misjudgement, speeding, following too closely, dangerous overtaking, failure to give way and reckless or negligent driving,” police said.

The road safety statistics came as the country is also grappling with the Lake Kariba maritime disaster, in which a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) ferry capsized on August 11.

The ferry disaster claimed at least 46 lives, with authorities continuing recovery operations in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The maritime accident occurred as the country marked the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.

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