HARARE – Transport and Infrastructural Development minister, Felix Mhona, on Wednesday launched the Festive Season Road Safety Education, Enforcement, and Awareness Campaign at Gosha Primary School near Juru Business Centre.
In his address, the Mhona highlighted the sobering context for the campaign, noting that Zimbabwe records an average of five road fatalities daily and nearly 2,000 annually.
These accidents cost the nation approximately US$406 million each year, representing about 3% of GDP.
As part of the government’s preparedness, the Ministry received 10 fully equipped ambulances for highway emergencies.
Minister Mhona detailed key interventions, including the Festive Season Emergency Care framework, which will station ambulances and medical personnel at all tollgates and accident-prone spots to ensure victims receive help within the critical first hour.
Mhona reinforced Statutory Instrument 10 of 2025, which mandates that public passenger vehicle drivers be at least 30 years old and possess five years of experience, citing the risks associated with youth and inexperience.
He also emphasized that tech-driven enforcement would be enhanced to police speeding, red-light violations, and other offences.
Furthermore, he reiterated that multi-stakeholder teams from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department, and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe will conduct a comprehensive enforcement campaign during the holiday period.
Minister Mhona appealed directly to drivers to avoid speeding, overloading, drunk driving, and using defective vehicles or mobile phones while driving.
Passengers were urged to refuse to board overloaded vehicles and to always wear seatbelts, while pedestrians were advised to wear reflective clothing at night and use designated crossings.
The launch was attended by the TSCZ board and management, representatives of the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, members of the ZRP, Chief Chinamhora, and various senior government officials.
