Gweru residents endorse proposed Road Accident Fund, urge transparency
n By Dumisani Ndlovu n nn n GWERU – Residents in the Midlands capital have overwhelmingly backed the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development’s proposed National Road Accident Fund (RAF), viewing it as a critical safety net to
anostrofy By Dumisani Ndlovu
GWERU – Residents in the Midlands capital have overwhelmingly backed the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development’s proposed National Road Accident Fund (RAF), viewing it as a critical safety net to financially cushion road accident victims and their families. The initiative comes amid a persistently high number of road accidents in Zimbabwe, often leaving survivors with devastating injuries and families burdened by significant expenses.
The proposed bill seeks to establish a fund that compensates victims of road traffic accidents regardless of fault, a move that has garnered strong support from various community groups.
While praising the initiative at a public consultation meeting held at Gweru Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, local civic leaders quickly shifted the focus to the potential misuse of public resources.
Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (Guprarda) Director David Chikore expressed enthusiastic support, but highlighted the need for stringent oversight.
“It’s a noble idea, but we don’t want another honey pot for the elite. What corruption mechanism is put in place? We don’t want yet another fund that disappears into corruption. There must be proper auditing, and the money should directly benefit victims and their families,” Chikore stated, advocating for foreign direct investment as an alternative funding source alongside traditional methods.
Similar sentiments were echoed by other attendees, with one participant proposing “stiffer penalties ranging from an 80-year jail term to life imprisonment for abusing or stealing the funds.” Mr. Brian Kuzipa further suggested diversifying funding sources beyond third-party insurance to include contributions from entities like Zesa, ZBC, and local authorities.
The urgency of implementing this reform was powerfully underscored in a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Felix Tapiwa Mhona (MP), and read by Lizwe Bunu, the Vice Chairperson of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) board.
“The Road Accident Fund Bill is our solid commitment and the right direction towards establishing a robust post-crash management regime,” the Minister’s statement affirmed.
Mrs. Agnes Tshuma highlighted the human impact, noting, “Many people die or get injured on our roads every year, and their families get nothing because the drivers are sometimes uninsured or flee the scene. This fund will ensure that victims are not left to suffer.”
While welcoming the fund, Mrs. Lillian Chikanga stressed the importance of proactive measures. “We welcome the fund, but we also need awareness campaigns to prevent accidents in the first place. Prevention is better than cure,” she advised.
Traffic Safety Board Managing Director, Munesu Munodawafa, explained that the proposed fund would be primarily financed through insurance premiums, drawing lessons from successful models in countries such as South Africa and Namibia. He noted that despite the initiative being long overdue, the delay had allowed for valuable insights from other nations’ experiences. “The goal is to ensure that every road user contributes a little so that when accidents happen, there is a safety net for everyone,” Munodawafa clarified.
Ruvimbo Chandura, Deputy Legal Advisor in the Ministry of Transport, outlined Zimbabwe's broader strategic plan to reduce road traffic accidents. This includes strengthening road safety management, implementing a national strategy for 2021-2030, improving data collection and post-crash care, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. The plan emphasizes accountability for all stakeholders in reducing fatalities and injuries.
Gweru residents further urged the government to ensure prompt processing of compensation and equitable access for rural victims. With significant support across the country, the Road Accident Fund proposal is poised to gain momentum, potentially becoming a vital social protection mechanism for thousands of Zimbabweans annually.
