Horror crash kills daughter, mother and sibling in critical condition

WHAT was supposed to be a day of celebration and jubilation ended in tragedy for a Bulawayo family after a horror crash claimed the life of Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) graduate Panashe Tanya Mwinga, hours after she was capped with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual and Communications Multimedia last Thursday.

The horrific accident left her mother Mrs Benhilda Mwinga, father Mr Mike Mwinga and son Tadiwa with life threatening injuries.

Panashe was 23 at the time of her untimely death.

Mr Mwinga was later discharged from hospital and is recuperating at a friend’s home in Harare while his wife Benhilda and son Tadiwa are admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Avenues Clinic in the capital city.

The family was involved in the accident about 40 kilometres towards Harare from Chinhoyi where their daughter Panashe had joined over 3 100 other graduates at the 21st Chinhoyi University of Technology graduation ceremony on August 28, 2025.

The deceased’s funeral arrangements have been put on hold while doctors at Avenues Clinic battle to save the mother and brother’s lives.

Family spokesperson Mr Thulani Ndlovu said the family left Panashe’s two siblings in Bulawayo to travel to Chinhoyi for their daughter’s graduation ceremony.

The car they were travelling in was involved in the accident at Mapinga on their way back to Harare.

“Benhilda Mwinga, as well as Panashe’s little brother Tadiwa are battling for their lives after sustaining serious head and abdominal injuries during the accident,” Mr Ndlovu said.

“Mother and son still remain in ICU at Avenues Clinic in Harare while Mike has since been discharged and is recovering at a friend’s place in Harare.

“The whole ordeal has been very difficult for the Mwinga family, especially Mike who is still coming to terms with the death of his daughter and is praying for the speedy recovery of his wife and son,” he added.

“The couple’s other two younger kids are at the family home in Bulawayo where relatives are taking care of them. At this moment we ask for prayers for the full recovery of Benhilda and Tadiwa as they battle for their lives in hospital,” Mr Ndlovu said medical bills for the Mwinga family members in hospital are mounting.

“As of today (yesterday) the bills for all the emergency surgeries and other critical medical procedures that mother and son are going through stand at US$30 000,” he said.

“With the assistance of well-wishers we have managed to raise US$12 000, leaving a shortfall of close to US$18 000.

“For now funeral arrangements for Panashe have been put on hold. Our focus is on getting the best medical care for Benhilda and her son to recover from the injuries sustained in the road accident and when that happens we will start to make the necessary burial arrangements for our beloved daughter,” said Mr Ndlovu.

A WhatsApp group with over 600 people, including prominent individuals such as businesspeople, politicians and community leaders, has been set up to help the Mwinga family raise the much needed money to cover hospital bills for Mrs Mwinga and her son Tadiwa.

In a statement after the horrific accident, the Chinhoyi University of Technology’s Student Representative (SRC) declared September 1, 2025 a ‘Black Monday’ and asked all the students to wear black in honour of the departed Panashe.

“It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that we inform you (students) of the passing away of Panashe Mwinga, a gifted young lady who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual and Communications Multimedia.

“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 she passed away a few hours after being admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital,” reads the statement.

“Her body has been transferred to Nyaradzo Funeral Services. Her untimely passing away is a profound loss to the university community and to all those who had the privilege of sharing in her journey.”