By A Correspondent- Five people died on the spot while 10 others were injured after a Nissan Caravan carrying 22 passengers veered off the road, overturned and landed on its roof near the 97km peg along the Mutare-Masvingo highway on Monday night.

The deceased were taken to Birchenough Bridge Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured were admitted to Nyanyadzi Hospital. The deceased are: four females who have been identified by police as Praises Mubayadzirere (31) of Gimboki in Mutare, Kudzai Sigauke (41) of Yemurai Village under Chief Marange, Linda Mazemo (51) of 4595 Hobhouse in Mutare, Alice Gadha (41) of 945 Density in Mutare.

The only male victim is Simbarashe Mubare (13) of 502 Area 13, Dangamvura in Mutare.

In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of five people who died in a road traffic accident which occurred near Nenhowe Business Centre along Mutare-Masvingo Road on 23 August 2021 at 2030hrs.

“On approaching the 97km peg, a Nissan Caravan with 22 people on board which was travelling towards Birchenough Bridge veered off the road, overturned and landed on its rights side.”

Asst Comm Nyathi urged motorists to observe the Government’s curfew regulations and the ban on intercity movements.

A number of lives have been lost on the country’s highways in the last few weeks, mostly at night.