Abstract:
Road traffic injuries remain a pressing public health and development challenge in Zimbabwe, with public
passenger transport accounting for a disproportionate share of fatalities. Despite multiple government-led policy
interventions, including driver retesting, vehicle inspections, and speed enforcement technologies, road deaths
increased by over 40% between 2020 and 2022. This study critically examines the role and effectiveness of
government policy in reducing road carnage in Zimbabwe’s public passenger transport sector between 2000 and
2024. A qualitative systematic literature review was conducted, complemented by a comparative case study
analysis of international best practices from Sweden, Singapore, Kenya, and South Africa. The study applies
Public Sector Performance Theory and Collaborative Governance Theory to assess policy implementation,
institutional capacity, and stakeholder engagement. Findings reveal that Zimbabwe’s policy approach remains
reactive, enforcement-heavy, and poorly aligned with long-term safety goals. Key limitations include institutional
fragmentation, low technological adoption, underfunding, and minimal stakeholder participation.
Comparative insights highlight the potential of decentralising enforcement, adopting AI-based monitoring, and
embedding road safety into broader urban governance frameworks. The study concludes that while government
policy is necessary, it is insufficient without structural reforms in implementation, oversight, and collaboration.
It recommends a transition toward integrated, evidence-based, and participatory policymaking. The findings
have significant implications for policymakers, development partners, and urban planners seeking to improve
public transport safety in low-resource contexts.
