New Road Accident Fund Aims to Reshape Zim`s Road Safety Ecosystem

By Shingirai Vambe

Bulawayo-The proposed Road Accident Fund(RAF) is not just compensation but it`s about reshaping the country`s entire road safety ecosystems through people centered legislation, an official said.

Speaking at the launch of the public consultation for the Road Accident Fund(RAF) Bill on Tuesday, Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joy Makumbe said the fund is a national necessity that must be built on the foundation of honest, inclusive, and community-driven dialogue.

“This is not just a policy matter, it is a people matter. We must never draft laws from offices without touching the lives they are meant to protect. That’s why this consultation is not a formality, it’s a national obligation,” said Makumbe.

He described the fund as a framework of national significance, requiring a coordinated, consistent, and transparent approach that reflects not just expert opinions but also grassroots experiences, especially from those directly affected by country`s road traffic accidents.

“The lives we lose every day are not just statistics. They are breadwinners, children, and citizens with dreams. We owe it to them to create a post-crash management system that is responsive, equitable, and humane,” she said.

The secretary highlighted that one of the fund’s most crucial objectives is to fill existing gaps in post-crash care, especially within the critical ‘golden hour’, the first 60 minutes after an accident, where emergency intervention often determines whether a victim lives or dies.

Makumbe also commended government for anchoring the process within a broader policy environment that aligns with international best practices, particularly those outlined under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030).

“We want a law that listens. A law that breathes the realities of our roads from kombi drivers in Mbare to cyclists in Mutoko. That’s why our approach must be open, inclusive, and transparent,” he encouraged.

He called on all stakeholders both public and private to provide honest feedback and engage meaningfully.

“If we do not engage meaningfully now, we risk building a fund that does not serve its purpose. The input from this room, from every district, is what will make this fund a living, breathing tool, not just paper.

“Road safety must become a shared national value. This fund will only be as strong as the voices that shape it. Let us build a Zimbabwe where no road user is left behind before or after a crash,” said Makumbe.

The country currently records a traffic crash every 15 minutes, with over 1,800 deaths and 10,000 injuries reported annually, according to government figures.

RAF is intended to provide a non-fault-based compensation mechanism that covers medical costs, evacuation, funeral expenses, and rehabilitation support for all road crash victims.

“We need to move from reaction to prevention. When the worst happens, we must guarantee care and dignity, not bureaucratic delays or endless court cases. That’s what this fund is about, ”Makumbe said.

The Ministry will continue with consultation across the country, working in partnership with Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe(TSCZ),Zimbabwe National Road Administration(ZINARA) and other stakeholders.