196 Accidents Leave 24 Dead, 96 Injured Over Heroes and Defence Forces Long Weekend
Zimbabwe has suffered a deadly spike in road traffic accidents over the 2025 Heroes and Defence Forces Holidays, leaving 24 people dead and 96 injured, according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the sharp increase compared to last year was alarming. In just three days, from August 11 to 13, accidents shot up from 149 last year to 196 this year.
Fatal crashes also climbed, with 13 recorded this year compared to eight in 2024. Deaths rose from 16 to 24, while the number of people injured jumped from 77 to 96. Nyathi blamed reckless driving, speeding, vehicle faults, and dangerous overtaking for many of the tragedies.
Two Major Crashes Highlight Grim Toll
He pointed to two of the worst accidents over the holiday. The first happened on August 11 along the Mutare–Masvingo Road, where a hired Quantum carrying Zion Christian Church members veered off the road and overturned. Six people died and 16 others were injured. The group had been travelling from Gokwe to Chimanimani.
The second deadly crash occurred the next day on the Bindura–Shamva Road. A kombi’s rear tyre burst, causing it to veer off the road. Four people died and 17 were injured.
Other tragedies included two people killed in a Toyota Hilux crash on the Masvingo–Mbalabala Road, and a 16-year-old girl run over by a lorry in Checheche. Pedestrians were also victims; one was killed in Hatfield and another injured in High Glen.
Despite the bloodshed, Nyathi said police appreciated the cooperation of most public transport operators during the holiday. He urged motorists to service their vehicles, avoid speeding, and only overtake when safe.
He also reminded pedestrians to wear reflective clothing at night and called on all drivers to follow road rules, stressing that such needless loss of life can and must be prevented.
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The post 2025 Heroes and Defence Forces Long Weekend Sees Sharp Rise in Road Accidents appeared first on iHarare News.
