Tinotenda Hove – Tragedy struck the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Development on Saturday when two of its officials lost their lives in a fatal crash.

Memory Rutsvara and Lovemore Mwavurudza were killed after the bus they were travelling in ran off the road while returning from Inter-Ministerial games in Masvingo.

On Monday morning, Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza joined mourners at the Roman Catholic Church in Chikanga, Mutare, for Rutsvara’s funeral service.

Rutsvara worked as an accountant for both Agritex and the Agriculture and Rural Development Agency, ARDA, under the agriculture ministry.

“In Government, we value honesty, accountability and hard work. The late Mrs Rutsvara embodied all these virtues,” Mugadza told mourners.

He added, “She was dependable, focused, respectful and selfless in the discharge of her responsibilities. Her contribution to the smooth administration of Government programmes in the agricultural sector will remain etched in our memories.”

“Her passing is therefore not a loss to her immediate family alone, but a significant loss to the ministry she served, Manicaland Province and the nation at large,” he said.

“We have lost a woman who understood the importance of service. We have lost a colleague whose work ethic inspired those around her. We have lost a quiet but effective pillar in the machinery of Government.”

Rutsvara was scheduled for burial at Dangamvura Cemetery later on Monday.

Mugadza was also set to pay his respects at Mwavurudza’s funeral in the Dora area, just outside Mutare.