CHINHOYI – A day of celebration turned into unimaginable tragedy for the Mwinga family when their daughter, Panashe Mwinga, died in a car crash just hours after graduating from the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Panashe, who had just been conferred with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual and Multimedia Communication, was involved in the fatal accident in the Mapinga area near the Gwebi River. She was travelling back to Harare with her parents and eight-year-old sister.
According to a statement from the CUT Students Representative Council (SRC), Panashe succumbed to her injuries at Parirenyatwa Hospital a few hours after admission. Her body has been transferred to Nyaradzo Funeral Services.
“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,” said Marlvin Saint Madanda, the SRC’s Minister for External Affairs, Information and Publicity.
“Her untimely passing is a profound loss to the university community and to all who had the privilege of sharing in her journey.”
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Panashe’s parents are now fighting for their lives. Her father, Engineer Mwinga, who was driving the vehicle, and her mother both sustained serious head injuries and are reported to be unconscious and in critical condition. Her eight-year-old sister suffered broken legs.
Eng. Mwinga, who is based in Matabeleland North, had been in Harare for the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show and made the trip to Chinhoyi to witness his daughter’s graduation.
In honour of Panashe, the CUT SRC has declared Monday, September 1, 2025, as “Black Monday.”
“We encourage all students to wear black on this day as a sign of collective mourning and respect,”the students’ body said.
The university community and the nation at large are mourning the loss of a promising young graduate whose life was cut tragically short.
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