The Heroes and Defence Forces holiday period has turned deadly once more, with seven people killed in two separate road accidents in Masvingo and Hwange police confirmed Monday.

Six members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) perished when their Toyota Quantum, carrying 22 congregants, veered off the Mutare-Masvingo Highway and overturned in the early hours of Monday, August 11

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the crash near the 283km peg, stating that ltwo victims died on the spot, while four others succumbed to injuries at Masvingo General Hospital.

Sixteen survivors were hospitalized, with one in critical condition transferred to Harare for specialized treatment.

Authorities have yet to release the identities of the deceased, pending family notifications. Some victims are believed to be foreign nationals, though this remains unconfirmed.

In a separate incident on Sunday, August 10, one person died and 20 others were injured when a Nissan NP300 overturned near the Hwange Colliery Training Centre after its left rim broke.

With the holiday season seeing a spike in accidents, Commissioner Nyathi urged motorists to avoid speeding and obey traffic regulations.

“We are deeply concerned by the rising road fatalities,” Nyathi said.

“Drivers must exercise caution, especially during peak travel periods.”

The Ministry of Transport has launched probes into both crashes.

Post-mortems are underway, with DOVES Funeral Services handling mortuary arrangements for the Masvingo victims

This latest tragedy brings fresh scrutiny to Zimbabwe’s road safety measures, with calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and better vehicle maintenance checks.

Founder Jimayi Muduvuri has proudly joined His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa and the nation in paying tribute to Zimbabwe’s heroes and the brave men and women of the defence forces.

Muduvuri commended their unwavering patriotism, courage, and selfless service in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and peace. He emphasised that the sacrifices made by Zimbabwe’s heroes both past and present remain the cornerstone of the nation’s independence and stability.

“Our heroes and dedicated defence forces embody the true spirit of Zimbabwe. Their commitment ensures that our nation continues to thrive in unity, peace, and progress,” Muduvuri said.

His remarks come as the country marks this special occasion by honouring those who defended Zimbabwe’s freedom and continue to protect its people.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development has introduced the Best Extension Worker Award, a programme created to inspire agricultural extension officers to excel in their duties as Zimbabwe advances towards national food security.

The award, unveiled in Banket this Friday, will honour and reward dedicated agricultural business advisors formerly called extension officers who play a pivotal role in assisting farmers and driving rural productivity.

The initiative has received an enthusiastic response from beneficiaries.

“This award pushes us, as the frontline workforce, to go beyond our limits. It will sharpen our skills and encourage healthy competition among us. Ultimately, the farmers stand to gain the most,” said Makonde Ward 5 Extension Worker, Mr. Mushambi Tigere.

Mhondoro Ngezi Ward 5 Extension Worker, Mrs. Nyasha Gonde, echoed the sentiment, expressing appreciation for government support:
“We no longer face mobility challenges thanks to the motorbikes provided, and communication has improved with the tablets we were given. We also get timely updates on current trends and attend regular, high-impact capacity-building workshops.”

Government officials emphasise that empowered extension officers are essential to achieving food self-sufficiency.

“This award is about encouraging excellence and accountability in our extension services. These officers link research to the farmer, and their performance directly influences output. With the tools and resources provided, we expect them to deliver more. Our ultimate goal is to guarantee food security by boosting yields per hectare—and that depends on farmers getting timely, relevant support,” explained Professor Obert Jiri, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

Mashonaland West Provincial Director, Mrs. Medlinah Magwenzi, highlighted the transformation in service delivery:
“Motivated officers make our work easier. With motorbikes, tablets, and solar kits, they can now gather data in real time, track crop growth more accurately, and respond quickly to farmers’ needs. This digital shift also supports evidence-based decisions at a national level, ensuring efficiency, higher productivity, and that no farmer is overlooked.”

Masvingo Provincial Director, Mr. Caleb Mahoya, pointed to his province’s agricultural potential:
“Masvingo controls about 52% of Zimbabwe’s water bodies, giving us huge production capacity. Before this programme, our officers struggled to reach many farmers due to transport and equipment shortages. Now, with the new resources, they can cover more ground, give real-time technical guidance, and submit instant reports. This has significantly boosted farmer engagement and the uptake of recommended practices.”

With increased motivation and better tools, agricultural extension officers are now better placed to help farmers propel Zimbabwe towards its goal of food self-sufficiency.