NINE people died in Masvingo Province this Friday morning while enroute to a prayer session.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“ZRP is investigating the circumstances in which nine people died at Ruti Dam, Buhera, on 17 July 2026, at around 0430 hours when the driver of a Nissan Caravan kombi negligently stopped his vehicle at Ruti Dam Wall and started loading luggage after using a stone instead of his vehicle’s handbrake to effectively bring the vehicle to a halt.

“Sadly, the vehicle moved and plunged into Ruti Dam. The vehicle was carrying 12 congregants from Gutu to Buhera for a church function,” said the police spokesperson.