President Mnangagwa Orders Urgent Nationwide Road Repairs Amid Deadly Accident Surge

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered the immediate rehabilitation of roads across Zimbabwe and directed relevant Government departments to urgently restore road maintenance units following a devastating surge in fatal road accidents that claimed 24 lives within five days.

In a statement issued on Thursday, President Mnangagwa expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in road traffic fatalities, saying the recent tragedies underscore the urgent need for stronger coordination, enhanced road safety enforcement and accelerated infrastructure repairs.

The President’s intervention follows a horrific head-on collision between a passenger bus and a haulage truck along the Gokwe–Kwekwe Road, which claimed more than 10 lives and left several others injured, further deepening concerns over the deteriorating state of road safety in the country.

President Mnangagwa said the growing number of fatal accidents should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to urgently intensify efforts aimed at protecting lives and reducing carnage on Zimbabwe’s roads.

He instructed Government departments to fast-track repairs on damaged highways and revive road maintenance operations to improve the condition of critical transport routes, saying safe and reliable infrastructure remains essential for public safety and national development.

The President also called for firm action against reckless driving, speeding and the use of unroadworthy vehicles, stressing the importance of stricter compliance with traffic laws and stronger enforcement mechanisms to curb preventable deaths.

As Government mobilises resources toward nationwide road rehabilitation, President Mnangagwa emphasised that road safety must become a shared national responsibility involving motorists, transport operators, enforcement agencies and communities.

He conveyed his deepest condolences to families mourning loved ones lost in the recent accidents and wished those injured a speedy and full recovery.

By Witness A Phiri