Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Republic Police has added three more rebranded Ford Everest vehicles to the National Highway Patrol Unit, bringing the total fleet to nine. While authorities, led by Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba, present the rollout as a boost to road safety during the festive season, critics argue the initiative may have little real impact on reducing accidents and crime on Zimbabwe’s highways.

Speaking on the vehicle deployment, Mutamba said, “The public should take note that more National Highway vehicles are coming. Let’s promote road safety, curb road accidents and criminal acts during this festive season.”

However, road safety advocates and transport experts question whether adding a few SUVs can meaningfully address Zimbabwe’s persistent traffic challenges. Overcrowded highways, poorly maintained roads, reckless driving, and lack of driver education remain major contributors to accidents—problems that vehicle deployment alone cannot solve.

“Deploying more cars is a cosmetic solution,” said one transport safety expert who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Unless there is strict enforcement, public education, and systemic road maintenance, the number of vehicles patrolling highways won’t significantly reduce accidents or crime.”

The National Highway Patrol Unit, recently launched with the promise of enhancing enforcement along major roads, has faced criticism for vague operational plans and unclear accountability measures. Some civil society groups have expressed concern that the emphasis on “visibility” may be more about public relations than genuine improvements in safety.

Critics also question the allocation of resources, asking whether millions spent on SUVs could have been invested in road upgrades, traffic infrastructure, or community awareness campaigns—interventions that could have a more direct impact on preventing accidents.

As Zimbabweans prepare for the busy festive season, authorities continue to urge drivers to follow road rules, but many remain skeptical that the current measures will address the deeper, systemic problems contributing to road fatalities and highway crime.