Zimbabwe moves to establish Road Accident Fund to strengthen post‑crash care

Transport Minister Felix Mhona speaks at the Road Accident Fund Bill consultative meeting in Harare

By Staff Reporter — Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is moving to establish a Road Accident Fund to strengthen post‑crash management and provide social safety nets for victims, Transport Minister Felix Mhona said during a consultative meeting on the Road Accident Fund Bill in Harare. The initiative forms part of government efforts to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least half by 2030.

Felix Mhona, Transport Minister: “Occasions of this nature provide us with a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and hear directly from the constituencies which matter the real stakeholders of road safety.”Jacob Mafume, Harare Mayor: “If passed into law, this bill will bring sanity to the discord we are fighting daily.”

Fund design and revenue sources for the Road Accident Fund Zimbabwe

The proposed fund will draw 35% from compulsory third‑party motor vehicle insurance, currently pegged at US$35.65, and will complement existing sources such as fuel levies, taxes on tobacco and alcohol products, vehicle importation levies, and penalties from traffic offences. Officials say the fund will cover evacuation costs from accident scenes, medical expenses, funeral costs, and related claims, creating a dedicated financing mechanism for post‑crash care.

Policy context and national road‑safety targets in Harare and nationwide

Minister Mhona framed the Bill as part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s broader push to strengthen legal, policy, and administrative frameworks for road safety and post‑crash management. Zimbabwe continues to record high numbers of road traffic accidents amid a growing vehicle population and strained road infrastructure. The government’s target to halve road deaths and injuries by 2030 aligns with international road‑safety goals and requires coordinated action across national and local authorities.

Local government role and enforcement partnerships

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume welcomed the proposal and urged close cooperation between local and central government to implement the fund effectively. The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is expected to play a central role in enforcing road‑safety regulations, promoting awareness campaigns, and coordinating stakeholders involved in post‑crash response and victim support.

Next steps and stakeholder engagement on the Road Accident Fund Bill

The consultative meeting in Harare forms part of a wider stakeholder engagement process. Officials said further technical work will define governance arrangements, claims procedures, benefit levels, and oversight mechanisms before the Bill is tabled in Parliament. Transport Ministry sources indicated the government will continue public consultations to refine the Bill and ensure the fund is sustainable and responsive to victims’ needs.