Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
BULAWAYO – Police have issued a major crackdown on traffic offenders in Bulawayo, with more than 3,000 drivers now on the wanted list for various traffic infractions, as new national statistics reveal a sharp 19.8% increase in road accidents during the second quarter of 2025.
According to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the Bulawayo offenders face charges ranging from non-adherence to traffic laws to more serious violations.
“Police have cited more than 3,000 road traffic users in Bulawayo for various traffic infractions, which include non-adherence to traffic laws such as stop, give way signs and traffic lights,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.
“Major infractions include hit-and-run incidents.”
The crackdown in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city comes amid alarming nationwide road safety statistics released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats).
The agency reported that road traffic accidents surged by 19.8% during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, with 15,350 accidents recorded nationwide.
The tragic human cost of this increase includes 624 deaths and 2,926 injuries during the three-month period.
This spike in accidents coincides with a significant increase in vehicle numbers on Zimbabwe’s roads. ZimStats data shows first-time vehicle registrations jumped by 15.2%, from 18,214 in the first quarter to 21,128 in the second quarter of 2025.
Light motor vehicles accounted for most of this growth, with first-time registrations increasing by 18.1% from 13,631 to 16,095.
The statistics also reveal concerning trends in driver competence. Of the 54,453 learner drivers who underwent certificate of competence tests in the second quarter, only 52.9% passed.
Performance varied dramatically across provinces, with only Mashonaland East (67.6%), Harare (66.3%), and Manicaland (50.1%) recording pass rates above 50%. All other provinces fell below the halfway mark, raising questions about driver training standards amid the rapid increase in vehicles on the road.
The combination of more vehicles, questionable driver competence, and widespread traffic violations has created what authorities describe as a “perfect storm” for road accidents, prompting the ongoing police crackdown in Bulawayo and increased traffic enforcement nationwide.
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