By A Correspondent
As Zimbabwe moves closer to finalizing the establishment of its much-anticipated Road Accident Fund (RAF), concerns are growing over the potential for looting and misuse of the fund, casting doubt on whether it will effectively serve its intended purpose.
The RAF, designed to provide financial assistance and medical treatment to victims of road accidents, has been tabled to the Cabinet for consideration. Ms. Ruvimbo Chaduru, a representative from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, confirmed that “the guiding principles of the document have been submitted to Cabinet and we now await the outcome of the Cabinet resolution.”
Once established, the RAF will offer compulsory insurance coverage for all road users in Zimbabwe, with the aim of ensuring that accident victims and their families do not bear the full financial burden of road accidents. However, with Zimbabwe’s history of corruption and mismanagement of public funds, many are questioning whether the fund will be protected from exploitation.
Hon Knowledge Kaitanom, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio for Transport and Infrastructure Development, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, noting, “The current situation, where victims and their families bear the financial burden of accidents, is unacceptable. The RAF will provide much-needed relief and support to those affected.” However, he added that “concerns about potential administrative challenges” remain, particularly in light of Zimbabwe’s ongoing issues with looting and mismanagement of state funds.
The RAF’s design aims to be a safety net for accident victims, but many fear it could become a target for corruption. Mr. Munesu Munodawafa, managing director of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, called for public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on how the fund will work, stressing, “There is a need for public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the fund and its benefits.”
Despite these concerns, the RAF is seen as a crucial step towards reducing the financial hardship caused by road accidents in Zimbabwe. However, as the country grapples with high levels of looting and political instability, the success of the fund will ultimately depend on the government’s ability to implement strong safeguards to protect it from abuse.
With the fate of the RAF now in the hands of Cabinet, Zimbabweans are left hoping that the new fund will truly provide relief to those in need, rather than becoming another casualty of the country’s deep-rooted corruption issues.