The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has taken a firm stance against the growing trend of people capturing accident scenes on their phones rather than helping victims.
By Advent Shoko
In a statement seen by ZiGoats.com, the police urged Zimbabweans to prioritise immediate assistance, such as alerting emergency services and providing first aid, criminalising recording images or videos of distressing accident scenes. The statement read:
“The ZRP urges Zimbabweans to prioritize rendering assistance to victims of road traffic accidents, such as promptly notifying emergency services and offering first aid where possible, rather than capturing photographs or videos of horrific accident scenes and sharing them on social media.”
Authorities stressed that taking photos or videos at accident scenes is not only insensitive but also criminal. Legal action will be taken against anyone found exploiting such tragedies for online attention. The police cited a recent incident involving the family of Ronald Mujuru in Masvingo as a case in point, where bystanders were seen recording the aftermath instead of aiding the injured.
Police emphasised that the law protects victims’ dignity and the public should act responsibly, noting that improper behavior at crash sites could also contribute to secondary accidents. The ZRP called on citizens to remain vigilant, keep a safe distance unless offering help, and respect emergency personnel at work.
Road safety officials echoed the ZRP, reminding motorists to drive cautiously, use hazard lights, and deploy reflective warning triangles in breakdowns or accident situations to prevent further tragedies.
By cracking down on the misuse of accident imagery, the ZRP aims to reinforce a culture of responsibility, empathy, and swift action in emergencies, highlighting that public safety comes before clicks or online fame.
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