Agric ministry officials die in horror bus crash

Manicaland is in mourning following the deaths of two government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture after a fatal road accident on Saturday morning.

The victims, Mrs Memory Rutsvara and Mr Lovemore Mwavurudza, died when their bus veered off the road while returning from the Inter-Ministerial Games held in Masvingo.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, attended the funeral service for Mrs Rutsvara at the Roman Catholic Church in Chikanga, describing her as a dedicated and exemplary civil servant.

Mrs Rutsvara worked as an accountant within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Development, serving under both Agritex and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA).

Addressing mourners, Minister Mugadza said her death represented a significant loss to government and the province.

"In Government we value honesty, accountability and hard work. The late Mrs Rutsvara embodied all these virtues… Her contribution to the smooth administration of Government programmes in the agricultural sector will remain etched in our memories," he said.

He added that the deceased was a committed and disciplined worker whose contribution extended beyond her immediate office.

"She was a quiet but effective pillar in the machinery of Government," he said.

Mrs Rutsvara was scheduled to be buried at Dangamvura Cemetery later on the same day, while funeral arrangements for Mr Mwavurudza were taking place in the Dora area on the outskirts of Mutare.

Minister Mugadza is also expected to attend Mr Mwavurudza's funeral service as the province continues to grieve the loss of two public servants described as hardworking and dedicated.