Online Reporter
Imagine the trauma of arriving at a hospital with grieving relatives to collect the body of a loved one only to find them alive and well.
For one Bulawayo family, this “miracle” quickly turned into a nightmare of alleged professional negligence and a second, final tragedy.
The family of 79-year-old Idah Mushongahande now want to sue some nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital following a series of events they describe as “shocking and disturbing”.
Mushongahande was admitted to the hospital on December 1, 2025 for treatment for arthritis and Parkinson’s disease.
Doctors, however, had little hope for her recovery.
Her family was naturally devastated when they received a call from the hospital at 10.08 the following night informing them she had passed away.
“We informed relatives, who immediately began travelling for the funeral. We even filed a claim with Nyaradzo Funeral Services, which was promptly processed,” said granddaughter Chantel Dube.
“Dazed, we went to the hospital to collect the body, only to find granny alive. Her pulse was strong and she did not look to be in immediate danger.”
Dube claims the nurses on duty, rather than offering an apology, were nonchalant.
When the family expressed concern that they might face legal trouble for filing a “false” insurance claim based on the hospital’s error, one nurse reportedly mocked them. She asked why they were in such a hurry to claim the money.
As tempers flared, the family threatened legal action.
According to Dube, a nurse then issued a veiled threat:
“If you are going to act like that, we will end up . . .”
The sentence was left unfinished as the nurse was interrupted.
After seeking help from senior matrons, whom the family described as professional, they were told to pay for an international normalised ratio (INR) scan at Lancet House.
While the hospital’s chief executive officer, Dr Narcissus Dzvanga, was unavailable for comment, clinical director Professor Solwayo Ngwenya offered his condolences.
“Internal procedures have been instituted.
“I cannot comment fully until we have a complete report, but we grieve with the family and are sorry for the trauma they experienced,” Prof Ngwenya said.
The family remains adamant about seeking justice.
They, however, praise the senior matron for assisting them with her own vehicle. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Teen convicted after bizarre bedroom intrusion
A Cowdray Park teenager who crept into a woman’s bedroom in the dead of night — armed with a bag of condoms — has presented one of the strangest defences the Bulawayo courts have ever heard.
Mpumelelo Nzima (19) appeared before magistrate Challenge Mahembe after sneaking into a woman’s home at approximately 2am on December 10 last year.
The court heard that Nzima fondled the victim before bolting when discovered.
The incident triggered screams, chaos and a dramatic escape over a precast wall.
In court, Nzima claimed the woman had begged him for sex as payment for a US$2 mbanje (marijuana) debt.
He alleged the complainant was a drug dealer, who had given him a “twist” on credit.
According to Nzima, when he failed to pay, she invited him to her house for a “bedroom settlement”.
The victim told a very different story.
Prosecutor Josephine Gurazhira told the court that Nzima entered the bedroom uninvited and assaulted the woman while she slept.
The daughter switched on a torch, catching the intruder red-handed.
As the house erupted into screams, Nzima shoved the victim aside and scaled a precast wall, leaving behind a pair of green sneakers and a bag of unused condoms.
The complainant also reported that US$100 was missing following the bizarre episode.
While Nzima denied stealing the money and insisted the woman fabricated the assault to cover up a drug deal, the court was unconvinced.
It, therefore, found him guilty of indecent assault.
Nzima was fined US$100, failure of which he will be jailed for three months.
An additional two-month sentence was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Due to lack of evidence, he was acquitted of the theft charge. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Bulawayo man threatens to kill his sister over small food portion
In what could easily be described as the most extreme case of “portion control” drama in recent times, a 26-year-old Bulawayo man was fined US$105 after threatening to kill his sister with an axe during a dispute over food.
Brandon Ngwenya, of Nkulumane 5, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube facing a charge of domestic violence.
Ngwenya was convicted on his own plea of guilty.
Prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu told the court that on November 30, a heated argument erupted between Brandon and his 28-year-old sister Happiness at the shared family home.
The reason for the fight? The size of their food portions.
Rather than negotiating for a larger serving, Brandon allegedly escalated the conflict by grabbing an axe and threatening to kill his sister.
Happiness took the most sensible course of action and reported the threat to the police, leading to Brandon’s arrest.
Following his conviction, Brandon now knows that when he is hungry and feeling dramatic, the court recommends reaching for a table fork — not an axe. — B-Metro
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Man accused of trying to burn mother-in-law faints in the dock
Drama erupted in a Bulawayo court when a 44-year-old man accused of attempting to murder his mother-in-law collapsed while entering the courtroom.
Khuzani Ndlovu, of Nyamandlovu in Matabeleland North province, fell as he walked towards the dock.
Prison officers were forced to carry and lay him down in the hallway, prompting the magistrate to quickly adjourn proceedings.
After several tense minutes, Ndlovu recovered and was escorted back into the courtroom to face a charge of attempted murder.
Appearing before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira, Ndlovu was not asked to plead and remanded in custody.
Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that on October 22, Ndlovu travelled to Kenneth Moyo’s homestead in search of his estranged wife.
He allegedly banged on the door until his mother-in-law, Soneni Muringi, responded.
The court heard that when Muringi informed Ndlovu that his wife was visiting relatives, he flew into a rage. Ndlovu allegedly hurled insults at the elderly woman before locking the doors from the outside with an iron bar and setting her room on fire. Muringi’s screams for help alerted neighbours, who rushed to the scene and managed to break down the door just in time to save her.
A group of villagers gave chase, apprehended Ndlovu and handed him over to the police. Ndlovu has been remanded in custody to a later date pending trial. — B-Metro
