By Thabisani Dube
TYNWARD NORTH – A heavy silence hung over the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Pinnacle Church on Wednesday evening, broken only by soft hymns and quiet sobs, as residents gathered to console Ronald Mujuru who lost his wife and five children in a horrific accident last week.
Some mourners wiped away tears as prayers echoed through the church, while others sat in silence, heads bowed, struggling to come to terms with the scale of their neighbour’s loss.
At the centre of it all Mujuru – surrounded by relatives, neighbours and strangers – sat head bowed in silent supplication in grief.
The sad moment brought together churches that seldom share the same pulpit as they stood side by side – among them Baptist, Salvation Army, Roman Catholic, United Methodist, Anglican, and Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) – turning the gathering into a powerful expression of collective mourning and compassion.
The fatal accident occurred last Thursday along the Harare-Masvingo Road near Mvuma, when the family’s Toyota Corolla collided head-on with a Mercedes-Benz truck. The accident resulted in the instant death of all six occupants – Lilian Maranda Mujuru (40) and her children Nokutenda (15), Makanaka (13), Ronald Junior (11), Rufaro Shalom (7) and Kayden (3). They were travelling to a church conference in Zvishavane during the Easter holidays.
Master of Ceremonies Elder Paxon Mukwenya of AFM reminded mourners of the shared faith that had brought them together.
“Some may ask why this happened, but it is all through Christ,” he said. “In heaven there are no church names; we are all children of God.”
Church leaders from different denominations took turns to offer words of comfort, their messages echoing a common theme – faith in the face of unimaginable loss.
Bishop Weston Nyamwanza of Light of Christ International Ministry urged the congregation to trust in God’s plan, quoting the book of Job: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Philip Musademba encouraged mourners not to lose hope, while AFM Pastor Maxwell Chikomo reflected on the seasons of life, reminding the gathering that grief and healing often walk together.
For the Mujuru family, the pain remains overwhelming. Mujuru’s brother spoke of the shock that gripped them when the news first broke.
“I thought it was not true,” he said. “I was with my brother but failed to tell him until our father confirmed. Residents organised the funeral – they made our burden lighter and even prepared this service.”
Mujuru’s mother, who travelled from Chitungwiza, expressed both sorrow and gratitude.
“When I first heard the news, I thought it was false,” she said. “But when I arrived, everything was in place. People continue to console us. I have learnt that my son and daughter-in-law were good neighbours.”
Outside the church, the sense of loss extended beyond the immediate family. Neighbours, friends, and local leaders described a community shaken to its core.
“We have lost, but God knows everything,” said neighbour Monica Chamatowa quietly.
Community leader Tawanda Dube said the gathering reflected the strength of Tynward North’s social fabric.
“The coming together of different churches and residents today shows that this is a community that cares,” he said. “We are hurting, but we share this pain.”
Young people also played a role in supporting the grieving family. Youth representative Rumbidzai Ncube described how they helped organise the service and reach out to those affected.
“This loss affects the entire community, not just one family,” she said.
As hymns and prayers continued, the church became more than a place of mourning – it morphed into a symbol of unity. In a moment of deep sorrow, denominational boundaries faded, replaced by a shared commitment to stand with one another.
The tragedy has left Tynward North grieving, but it has also revealed something deeper: a community bound not only by proximity but by compassion and love. In their darkest hour, the Mujuru family was not alone.
