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Sandra Tekere, Sunday News Reporter
WHEN tragedy falls, there are bound to be a lot of “WHYs”
A majority of Zimbabweans are Christians and believe in protection from the Almighty. But when tragedy falls a few minutes when you are from church, surely the “Why” question becomes complicated.
The assumption is that we turn to God to seek divine intervention, to seek protection from earthly evils and to ensure that the Almighty even warns us on impending dangers.
But for a mother and daughter, what started as a happy prayerful day ended up on a sad note as they were part of the four people who were injured when a building that houses popular food outlet, Nando’s collapsed on 18 February.
One of the four unfortunate people, Wellington Maganga later died while admitted to Mater Dei Hospital. Of the other three one has been discharged while two are still in hospital.
Ms Sibekiwe Mtungwa and her daughter Miss Melisa Ncube are those who are still admitted in hospital, three weeks later and still could not believe how such a tragedy ended up affecting them.
Sunday News visited the hospital last week and managed to talk to Miss Ncube from her hospital bed.
According to Miss Ncube, the Saturday was like any other day. A day to go to church as they are Seventh Day Adventists.
“We prepared as usual and drove to church,” she recalled. “Everything was normal and we were in high spirits.”
Miss Ncube said after a dose of the gospel to fill the spirit, in the afternoon, they thought it was time to fill the stomach and chose to visit Nando’s for lunch.
“We parked our car outside the building and got in before ordering our food and ate, chatting as daughter and mother. There were other customers and nothing seemed unusual.”
Miss Ncube said after they finished eating, on their way out, tragedy struck.
“When we were on the pavement, all of a sudden bricks started falling on us. I was confused and also panicked because we could not immediately tell where the bricks were coming from,” she said.
“The instinct was to jump and run but unfortunately the falling bricks floored us. I could see my mother writhing in agony as more bricks and materials fell on us. I was hit on the knee and could not move.”
Miss Ncube said the worst part of the ordeal was seeing people taking pictures and not helping them to get out of the rubble.
This has been one of the worst side of smartphones. A lot of people have complained that most people with smartphones are obsessed with taking pictures and posting on social media before even trying to save those who will be in trouble.
“While people were taking pictures, I was worried about my mother because I could tell she was in pain and a lot of rubble had fallen on her. It was only the workers from Nando’s who started pulling us out and then we were taken to hospital in an ambulance.”
She said what was worrying was that since that day, her mother’s condition has been critical and she is still admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.
“I know all her legs were broken and the left one was broken in three parts. What is painful is that we do not see each other regularly as she is admitted in another room.”
Miss Ncube said he mother has undergone her first surgery and was still to undergo another one.
“I have not lost hope, I keep praying that my mother will be fine. I keep praying that her surgery will be a success.”
As for her, she got injured on the knee and doctors have said they needed to monitor the knee and will only discharge her when they are satisfied that she is fine.
“I am happy because my family has been very supportive but unfortunately since we were admitted no one from Nando’s has ever visited to to check on us,” said Miss Ncube, adding that even their medical expenses are being met by their medical aid and not Nando’s.
Even if she is discharged, Miss Ncube said it would take her time to just get into the city centre.
“I think from the experience I would not even want to get close to the building again. I can not stop reliving what happened on that Saturday.” Although she might be asking herself why, at least she is alive.
Online Reporter