Zimbabwe recorded 96 electricity-related accidents in 2025, a 28% increase from 75 in 2024, with fatalities rising to 32 as unsafe public practices and infrastructure failures continued to pose serious safety risks.

Figures from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority’s (ZERA) annual reports show that deaths increased by 23% from 26 in 2024, while non-fatal injuries rose by 38%.

The figures raise fresh concerns about electrical safety, particularly as infrastructure collapse and unsafe practices by members of the public accounted for 80 of the accidents recorded last year.

Unsafe public practices were responsible for 41 incidents, representing 43% of the total, while infrastructure collapse accounted for 39 cases, or 41%. Unsafe operations by employees contributed to 13 accidents, while theft and vandalism accounted for three.

The figures suggest that preventing electrical accidents will require attention to both public behaviour and the safety and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

ZERA had previously warned about the frequency of electrical fatalities. In January 2025, the authority expressed concern over the number of electricity-related deaths, identifying low-hanging power lines, vegetation encroaching on power lines, substandard workmanship and illegal connections among the risks.

The authority warned: “ZERA is concerned about the increase in electrical accidents, with at least three fatalities reported every month.”

The warning preceded the full-year figures, which show that 32 people died in electrical accidents during 2025.

Infrastructure maintenance has also emerged as a key concern. In March 2025, ZERA chief executive Edington Mazambani called for greater public awareness following an electrocution incident in Hwange involving three villagers, including a 17-year-old boy who later died.

“The authority is conducting public awareness campaigns in rural communities to educate members of the public to desist from getting into contact with fallen electric conductors and poles,” Mazambani said.

He added: “We are also engaging the utility to ensure that it carries out routine maintenance on its infrastructure.”

The incident highlighted the danger posed by fallen electricity infrastructure, particularly in communities where damaged power lines can remain accessible to residents.

In the same report, Ward 12 Nakabandana councillor Jowan Chuma criticised the utility over the fatal incident. Villagers reportedly said the power lines had been lying on the ground for more than three years.

The account raises questions about how quickly hazardous infrastructure is identified and repaired, especially where damaged power lines pose prolonged risks to surrounding communities.

However, public conduct remains another significant factor. ZERA has repeatedly warned against illegal connections and unauthorised electrical work, which can expose both residents and electricity workers to dangerous conditions.

The authority has also emphasised the responsibility of property owners to manage vegetation near power lines, stating: “It is the responsibility of the property owner to cut or trim trees which encroach into power lines.”

ZERA has further called for electrical alterations and repairs to be carried out by qualified personnel, with installations approved by the utility before being energised.

The regulator investigated 39 accidents in 2025, up from 23 in 2024, an increase of about 70%. Four cases resulted in prosecution, compared with two in the previous year.

ZERA investigates fatal and serious accidents, meaning the 39 investigations represent only part of the 96 reported incidents. The available figures do not establish whether the four prosecutions resulted in convictions or what penalties were imposed.

The increase in investigations highlights the growing caseload facing the regulator, but questions remain over whether enforcement and preventive measures are sufficient to reverse the trend.

Historical figures suggest that the causes of electrical accidents have persisted for years. In a 2018 report, ZERA engineer Tobias Mudzingwa outlined accident data covering the period from 2009 to 2016.

“The causes vary from infrastructure collapse (42 percent), unsafe practices by members of the public (38 percent), unsafe operations by employees (13 percent) and theft and vandalism on electricity infrastructure (7 percent),” Mudzingwa said.