Six (6) security officers drawn from various State security organs collapsed at different intervals during the Independence Day commemorations parade held at Chinhoyi Stadium on Monday.
The officers were drawn from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
The four men and two women were whisked away by paramedics after fainting in the simmering Autumn heat.
A former ZNA member, who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com on condition of anonymity, suggested that the lack of physical fitness could have contributed to the falling incidents. He said:
It is very rare to witness a parade recording such a high number of members collapsing for one reason or the other.
This is clear testimony these guys lack physical fitness, and the training and retraining regime has slackened over the years.
Chinhoyi Stadium was filled to capacity as surrounding communities such as Alaska and Shackleton also came to commemorate the 42nd independence anniversary.