The government has set up a Road Accident Compensation Fund to relieve the burden on road accident victims and their families in settling medical bills and burial expenses.

This was resolved by Cabinet on Tuesday and it comes as a positive response to incessant calls by the Traffic Safety of Zimbabwe and other stakeholders for government to consider this.

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told the Mail and Telegraph on Tuesday night that the fund was vital especially in the face of increase in road carnage.

“The fund is important because it will cater for victims, survivors and reduce the burden on the families who will have lost their loved ones.The Ministry of Transport will implement the policy,” said Mutsvangwa.

Public transport drivers will also undergo tests at two year intervals after President Mnangagwa urged public transport drivers to respect human lives before profits.

Last week , government declared the Rusape bus accident a national disaster after more than forty lives perished.
According to statistics, an accident occurs every 15 minutes and five people are killed daily on the country’s roads.
A majority of the victims struggle to pay for treatment while their relatives face challenges in meeting funeral costs.

M&T