The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has laid blame squarely on the government for the alarming rise in road traffic accidents across the country. In a recent pastoral letter, the council highlighted the government’s failure to revive a reliable public transport system as a key factor behind the ongoing road carnage, urging urgent action to address the crisis.
The call comes in the wake of tragic accidents, including the devastating July crash at Manyame Bridge on Seke Road in Chitungwiza that claimed 17 lives. Such incidents, the ZCC said, reveal deep-seated structural problems within the nation’s transport infrastructure that demand swift and comprehensive government intervention.
Despite government efforts to curb unsafe transport practices—such as cracking down on unregistered commuter omnibuses and banning police officers from operating public transport businesses—road accidents continue unabated. The council argues this is largely due to the government’s neglect of the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco), which historically was the backbone of Zimbabwe’s public transport.
“The unregulated operations of commuter omnibuses, despite significant government investment in acquiring new buses for Zupco, remain a critical contributor to ongoing road carnage,” the ZCC said.
Zupco’s failure to meet the high demand for affordable and safe public transport has forced many Zimbabweans to depend on private operators whose services are often erratic and unsafe. The council described the collapse of Zupco as emblematic of Zimbabwe’s broader governance and economic challenges.
Once a symbol of national pride, Zupco’s decline has been sharp and dramatic. Although the government launched a well-publicised initiative in 2019 to revive the company and address the transport crisis, many of the new buses have not been deployed effectively, and Zupco’s presence on urban and rural routes remains limited.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches Blames Government for Rising Road Carnage, Calls for Revival of Public Transport
“Despite the procurement of modern buses intended to offer safe and affordable transport, Zupco’s operations have been undermined by inefficiencies such as poor fleet maintenance, limited route coverage, and inconsistent scheduling,” said the ZCC.
For commuters desperate to get to work, school, or other essential destinations, the lack of reliable transport options means daily reliance on overcrowded and often unroadworthy vehicles, fueling a dangerous cycle that puts lives at risk.
The ZCC is calling for an urgent and robust revival and expansion of Zimbabwe’s public transport network to provide accessible, affordable, and safe services. Furthermore, the council demanded stricter enforcement of traffic laws and an end to corruption that allows unlicensed drivers and unsafe vehicles to operate with impunity.
The decline of Zupco has also been marred by allegations of mismanagement and corruption. The 2023 Auditor-General’s report revealed glaring financial irregularities, including the failure to account for ZW$3.4 billion in urban revenue, pointing to systemic issues within the company.
Moreover, buses purchased under the recapitalisation plan have come under scrutiny. The report highlighted that Belarusian Dragon buses, which cost approximately US$58,900 each on the open market, were sold to the government at a marked-up price of US$212,962 per unit—a suspicious increase of nearly US$154,000 per bus.
Reports have also surfaced that Zupco buses are frequently diverted from their public service duties to transport ruling party supporters to political events free of charge, further limiting their availability for the general commuting public.
The ZCC stressed that these operational failures and corruption not only undermine Zupco’s ability to provide transport but also exacerbate the national road safety crisis.
The council’s message is clear: the government must prioritise the safety and mobility of Zimbabwean commuters if the ongoing carnage on the roads is to be curtailed. This requires more than just policing and regulation; it demands a comprehensive revival of a dependable, state-supported public transport system capable of meeting the country’s needs.
As Zimbabwe grapples with the devastating human and economic costs of road accidents, the ZCC’s call highlights the urgent need for coordinated action—between government, civil society, and the private sector—to restore dignity, safety, and order to the nation’s roads.
Failure to act risks prolonging the suffering of thousands of Zimbabweans who rely daily on safe transport and could lead to further tragic loss of life.
Source- Bulawayo24
