Bongani Ndlovu
Mthokozisi Ncube, [email protected]
AN elderly woman collapsed near the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Statue in the Bulawayo city centre on Thursday morning, leaving onlookers shaken as her grandson reportedly struggled to come to her aid.
Eyewitness Tonderia Muzika said the woman had been walking with the young boy when she suddenly fell to the ground, triggering panic at the busy city centre spot.
“The woman was walking with what seemed to be her grandson when she collapsed. The young man was in shock, and he did not know what to do as he was running around looking for help,” said Muzika.
He described the incident as distressing, noting that the boy appeared overwhelmed and unsure how to assist as the woman lay motionless.
“I was very worried. It was painful to watch because the young man was clearly shaken and confused. You could see that he did not know what to do,” he said.
Muzika said he immediately contacted ambulance services, fearing for the woman’s life, but was initially told that no ambulances were available.
“I called for an ambulance, but to my surprise, they told me that there were no ambulances at all and there was nothing they could do. That really worried me because this was a life-or-death situation,” he said.
After what he described as a prolonged wait, an ambulance eventually arrived, although he expressed concern over the response.
“After a struggle, an ambulance finally came, but it had no siren, and the woman was not even given any first aid. It was very disappointing and worrying to see such poor service,” said Muzika.
He added that the woman appeared to still be alive when she was taken into the ambulance, but the incident left him deeply concerned about her condition.
“The woman looked alive when she was taken into the ambulance. I just hope and pray that she is still alive,” he said.
Online Reporter