HARARE – Singer Gary Mapanzure has died after a horror crash near Masvingo which killed two other people, police confirmed on Friday.
Friends said the 23-year-old was still alive 10 hours after the accident but died after failing to get life-saving surgery at the poorly-equipped Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
A specialist ambulance had been summoned from Harare but the private company offering the service reportedly demanded US$2,900 upfront.
In a statement, police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “Police would like to confirm a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at 2.45PM on October 12, 2023, at the 5km peg along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road in which Garikai (Gary) Mapanzure and two others died, while three others were injured.
“A Honda CRV motor vehicle with no passengers on board which was travelling due south was involved in a head-on collision with a Mazda Damio with four passengers on board which was travelling due north.
“The bodies of the victims were taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital mortuary while the injured are admitted at the same hospital.”
Mapanzure, considered one of the best vocalists on Zimbabwe’s music scene, was an upcoming star who has produced several hits including Chimoko ChiDanger.
