Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
The Hwange District Civil Protection Committee (DCPC) has been dispatched to co-ordinate emergency response efforts and mobilise resources to assist families following a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of eight Roman Catholic Church members.
The accident occurred when a vehicle plunged into the Deka River yesterday morning.
Police confirmed that the fatal accident occurred at around 7am Deka Road near Hwange when the vehicle carrying congregants returning from overnight prayers lost control while attempting to cross Deka Bridge.
The vehicle, which had 13 occupants on board, veered off the bridge and plunged into the river, trapping passengers underwater.
In a brief statement posted on its official X handle, the Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the deaths.
“The ZRP reports a fatal road traffic accident at Deka Bridge along Deka Road, Hwange. Eight Roman Catholic members died when their vehicle plunged into the bridge as they were coming from night prayers. The accident occurred on 23/05/26 at 0700 hours. The vehicle had 13 occupants. More details to be released soon,” said the police.
Five survivors, including three children and the driver, were rescued from the submerged vehicle and rushed to Hwange Colliery Hospital for treatment. Some of the injured were reportedly in critical condition.
Acting District Civil Protection Committee chairperson Mr Simbarashe Kayela said authorities had immediately activated emergency response mechanisms following the tragedy.
“We have begun co-ordinating responses following the tragedy that claimed the lives of eight people. We are mobilising resources to assist the bereaved families,” said Mr Kayela.
He said the committee would also visit survivors admitted to Hwange Colliery Hospital.
Witnesses said the vehicle was travelling from Makwa to Hwange and was transporting congregants returning from a Roman Catholic Church event when the accident occurred.
They said the vehicle appeared to lose control in the middle of the bridge before plunging into the river, where it became almost completely submerged.
“When I arrived at the scene, the accident had just happened. The vehicle was almost submerged in the river. Some bodies had already been recovered from the water,” said a witness.
Emergency rescue teams from Hwange Colliery Company, Zimbabwe Power Company and Hwange Local Board rushed to the scene and immediately launched rescue operations.
Preliminary reports suggest the driver may have lost control after the vehicle allegedly developed brake failure while crossing the bridge, although investigations are still underway.
Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hwange has announced three days of formal mourning, from tomorrow until Wednesday.
In a condolence notice to the Church, the Bishop of Hwange, Father Raphael Ncube, revealed that the group was returning from a Charismatic Renewal prayer gathering at St John’s Mission in Makwa.
“I hereby announce to all of us in the whole Diocese to observe three days of mourning as a Diocese, that is: Monday 25 May. Tuesday, 26 May and Wednesday, 27 May 2026. I ask that all Masses in these three days be Masses for these deceased brothers and sisters.
“I ask those priests who might be celebrating Gregorian Masses to offer each of these days an additional Mass at their convenient time for these brothers and sisters during these three days of mourning. This also includes all the priests of Hwange who are outside the Diocese,” reads the notice.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across Hwange, with grieving relatives and residents gathering near the accident scene as emergency personnel worked to recover bodies and search for survivors.
The accident also revived painful memories of another tragedy at the same spot barely two months ago, when a 31-year-old man drowned after attempting to cross the flooded Deka River.
The man was swept away by strong currents while trying to drive through the flooded crossing, and his body was only recovered eight days later downstream after an extensive search.
Residents have since renewed calls for improved safety measures along the Deka crossing, particularly during periods of high water levels and dangerous road conditions.
