Zimbabwe recorded a drop in road traffic accidents during the Easter holiday, but the number of fatalities rose, with pedestrians making up the majority of deaths, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reported.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 337 accidents were recorded this year, down from 384 during the 2025 Easter period. However, the death toll increased from 24 last year to 30 fatalities this year.
Despite the spike in deaths, police commended public service vehicle operators for improved compliance with road safety regulations, noting the absence of major crashes involving buses or commuter omnibuses.
Commissioner Nyathi expressed concern over the rising number of pedestrian deaths, revealing that 19 of the 30 fatalities involved people struck while crossing roads.
Among the most tragic incidents was a crash along the Harare–Masvingo Highway, where Mrs Lillian Mujuru and her five children died last week.
In separate incidents in Masvingo on April 4, three pedestrians were killed in hit-and-run cases, with motorists fleeing the scenes.
Another devastating incident occurred along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road, where seven pedestrians died on the spot after being run over at an accident scene.
Police have warned motorists against fleeing crash sites, reminding drivers that the law requires them to stop and render assistance.
Commissioner Nyathi urged motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution, saying the Road Traffic Act clearly outlines the responsibilities of all road users in the aftermath of an accident.
The ZRP said it will intensify road safety awareness campaigns as part of efforts to curb road carnage nationwide.
