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Graduate dies in road accident hours after graduation
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A Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) graduate tragically died in a road traffic accident just hours after being capped at the institution's 2025 graduation ceremony.
The deceased, Panashe Mwinga, had completed a Bachelor's degree in Visual and Multimedia Communication on Thursday. She was travelling back to Harare with her family when the accident occurred in the Mapinga area, near Gwebi River.
Panashe's father, an engineer, was driving the family vehicle. Also in the car were her mother and eight-year-old sister. The crash left both parents in critical condition with serious head injuries, while the child sustained broken legs.
CUT Students Representative Council (SRC) Minister for External Affairs, Information and Publicity, Marlvin Saint Madanda, confirmed the tragic development in a statement.
"It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that we inform you of the passing of Panashe Mwinga, a gifted young lady who graduated just yesterday with a Bachelor's degree in Visual and Multimedia Communication," said Madanda.
"Panashe was involved in a fatal road accident on the evening of 28 August 2025 near Mapinga, close to Gwebi River, while travelling with her sibling and both parents. She sustained serious injuries and despite medical efforts, passed away a few hours after being admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital. Her body has since been transferred to Nyaradzo Funeral Services for funeral arrangements."
The SRC described her death as a profound loss to the university community, declaring Monday, September 1, 2025, as "Black Monday" in her honour. Students have been encouraged to wear black as a sign of mourning and solidarity with the bereaved family.
Panashe's father had travelled from Matabeleland North to Harare for the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show and later attended his daughter's graduation in Chinhoyi before the family embarked on the ill-fated journey.
The deceased, Panashe Mwinga, had completed a Bachelor's degree in Visual and Multimedia Communication on Thursday. She was travelling back to Harare with her family when the accident occurred in the Mapinga area, near Gwebi River.
Panashe's father, an engineer, was driving the family vehicle. Also in the car were her mother and eight-year-old sister. The crash left both parents in critical condition with serious head injuries, while the child sustained broken legs.
CUT Students Representative Council (SRC) Minister for External Affairs, Information and Publicity, Marlvin Saint Madanda, confirmed the tragic development in a statement.
"Panashe was involved in a fatal road accident on the evening of 28 August 2025 near Mapinga, close to Gwebi River, while travelling with her sibling and both parents. She sustained serious injuries and despite medical efforts, passed away a few hours after being admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital. Her body has since been transferred to Nyaradzo Funeral Services for funeral arrangements."
The SRC described her death as a profound loss to the university community, declaring Monday, September 1, 2025, as "Black Monday" in her honour. Students have been encouraged to wear black as a sign of mourning and solidarity with the bereaved family.
Panashe's father had travelled from Matabeleland North to Harare for the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show and later attended his daughter's graduation in Chinhoyi before the family embarked on the ill-fated journey.
Source - NewZimbabwe
