Government has unveiled plans to set up a State-run Road Accident Fund in a major policy shift aimed at improving support for victims of road traffic accidents.
The proposal, contained in the forthcoming Road Accident Fund Bill, seeks to transfer the management of compulsory third-party motor insurance from private insurers to a central public fund, with the goal of ensuring faster and more effective medical care and compensation for crash victims.
At present, third-party insurance is compulsory under the Road Traffic Act and is provided by private insurance companies. It covers death, injury and property damage affecting passengers and other road users.
Under the new Bill, Government intends to overhaul this system by introducing a no-fault compensation model. This would eliminate many of the legal and administrative hurdles that currently delay claims, allowing victims to receive assistance without having to prove negligence.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has begun nationwide consultations to fine-tune the Bill. Engagements have already taken place in Marondera, Mutare, Masvingo, Bindura and Victoria Falls, with Harare consultations expected soon.
The meetings have attracted strong participation from citizens, traditional leaders and other stakeholders. While there has been broad support for the fund, participants have also called for greater focus on accident prevention.
Stakeholders have urged Government to pair the compensation scheme with investments in road safety, including improved road design and signage, better-equipped health facilities for trauma care, and allocating part of the fund towards rehabilitating accident black spots.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the proposed fund is meant to address inefficiencies in the current insurance system, where much of the premium is consumed by administrative costs and victims struggle with complex claims processes.
“The current system is complicated, and we want to remove that complexity through the Road Accident Fund,” said Minister Mhona. “Many claimants face difficulties because the process often requires legal expertise.”
He explained that the existing standard third-party premium of US$35,65 would be restructured. Of this amount, 35 percent would go to the Road Accident Fund, while 34,3 percent would remain with insurance companies to cover vehicle damage and other liabilities. The remaining 30,7 percent would cater for brokerage fees, road safety awareness through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, stamp duty and the Insurance and Pensions Commission levy.
Under the no-fault system, victims would automatically qualify for support covering evacuation, medical treatment and funeral expenses, subject to regulatory limits. This approach is expected to significantly speed up assistance for injured persons and bereaved families.
Minister Mhona said the Bill forms part of broader reforms to Zimbabwe’s road safety framework, in line with the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030.
He referenced findings from the 2022 Road Safety Performance Review launched by President Mnangagwa, which revealed that Zimbabwe records a road traffic crash every 15 minutes, amounting to over 35 000 accidents, at least 1 800 deaths and more than 10 000 injuries each year.