HARARE
–
Police
have
confirmed
the
deaths
of
seven
people
and
injuries
to
36
others
following
two
separate
road
traffic
accidents
in
Masvingo
and
Hwange
on
August
10
and
11.
The
first
incident
occurred
in
the
early
hours
of
Monday,
August
11,
at
around
2AM
along
the
Mutare-Masvingo
road.
A
Toyota
Quantum
carrying
22
congregants
from
the
Zion
Christian
Church
(ZCC)
veered
off
the
road
at
the
283-kilometre
peg
and
overturned,
killing
six
passengers
on
the
spot.
The
vehicle
eventually
landed
back
on
its
wheels.
Sixteen
other
passengers
were
injured
in
the
crash
and
were
rushed
to
Masvingo
General
Hospital,
where
they
are
receiving
treatment.
The
bodies
of
the
deceased
were
also
taken
to
the
same
hospital
for
postmortem.
Police
say
the
names
of
the
victims
will
be
released
once
their
next
of
kin
have
been
informed.
In
a
separate
incident,
one
person
died
while
20
others
were
injured
when
a
Nissan
NP300
overturned
along
Four
Mile
Drive
near
the
Hwange
Colliery
Training
Centre.
The
crash
occurred
at
around
5AM
on
Sunday,
August
10,
after
the
vehicle’s
left
rim
broke,
causing
it
to
veer
off
the
road,
overturn,
and
land
on
its
roof.
Authorities
are
urging
motorists
to
exercise
extreme
caution
on
the
roads.
“The
Zimbabwe
Republic
Police
reiterates
that
motorists
should
avoid
speeding
and,
above
all,
observe
all
road
rules
and
regulations
to
safeguard
human
lives,”
said
Police
Chief
Staff
Officer
for
Press
and
Public
Relations,
Commissioner
Paul
Nyathi,
in
a
statement.
Investigations
into
both
accidents
are
ongoing.