CUT Student Dies Mere Hours After Graduating – Family Involved In Horrific Accident On Way Home

Chinhoyi University Graduate Dies After Accident On Way Home From Graduation

The Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) has been plunged into mourning after one of its newest graduates, Panashe Mwinga, tragically lost her life in a car accident just hours after being capped. The promising young woman, who had completed her degree in Visual and Communication Multimedia, died following a horrific crash involving her family on their way back from the graduation ceremony.

The Accident At Mapinga

The devastating accident happened on the evening of Thursday, 28 August 2025, near Mapinga, close to the Gwebi River, along the Harare–Chinhoyi highway.

Panashe had spent the day celebrating her academic achievement with her parents and siblings. According to information shared by her father’s colleagues, who are senior government engineers, the joy of the day turned into despair within hours.

An internal circular seen by this publication revealed chilling details:

“One of our Chief Engineers, Mwinga from Matabeleland North, was involved in a serious accident yesterday evening. He had come to Harare for the ZAS and on the sidelines went to Chinhoyi (CUT) to attend the graduation ceremony for his daughter. In the car, it was him, his wife and two children, the graduate and a minor aged about 8.”

The vehicle reportedly veered off the road before overturning, leaving all occupants with serious injuries. Panashe was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, where doctors fought to save her life. Unfortunately, she succumbed a few hours after admission.

The same communication further confirmed:

“At the moment Mwinga is in critical condition and unconscious, same as his wife who suffered some head injuries, and the minor suffered broken legs. Unfortunately, the graduate daughter could not make it as she died a few hours at the hospital admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital. The body was taken to Nyaradzo for management.”

Mourning At CUT

The loss has left the CUT community heartbroken. Panashe’s graduation day had symbolised hope, perseverance, and the promise of a bright career ahead.

In honour of her memory, the CUT Students Representative Council (SRC) has declared Monday, 1 September 2025, as “Black Monday.” Students are being urged to wear black as a collective symbol of grief.

A CUT SRC spokesperson expressed the depth of the loss:

“She was not just a graduate, she was a beacon of hope to her family and peers. Her loss has shaken us all and reminds us of the fragility of life. Panashe had so much potential, and this tragedy has robbed her family, her classmates, and the nation of a bright future.”

Friends and fellow graduates also took to social media to share their sorrow. Many posted pictures of Panashe in her graduation gown, accompanied by heartfelt tributes.

Meanwhile, colleagues of her father have rallied behind the Mwinga family, appealing for solidarity and prayers.

“Let us please spare a moment to pray for the Mwinga family during this most difficult time. We really need God’s protection,” read part of the widely shared message.

Road Safety Concerns

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), more than 35,000 road accidents were recorded in 2024, claiming the lives of over 2,000 people. The World Health Organization has also ranked Zimbabwe among African countries with some of the highest road traffic death rates.

Common causes include speeding, unroadworthy vehicles, reckless driving, and deteriorating road infrastructure. The Harare–Chinhoyi highway, where the Mapinga crash took place, has been flagged in the past for frequent accidents.

For the Mwinga family, what was meant to be a day of joy and achievement turned into unimaginable pain. For CUT, the death of Panashe is a painful reminder of how fragile life can be.