Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
VETERAN broadcaster Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda says it was by God’s grace that he and former Highlanders vice-chairman Modern Ngwenya escaped unhurt after their vehicle rammed into a stray bull along the Gweru-Bulawayo Road on Thursday night.
The accident occurred at the 80km peg as the two were travelling back to Bulawayo from Lower Gweru, where they had attended the coronation of village head Madinga Sibanda.
Narrating their ordeal in a Facebook post, Sibanda said death had stared them in the face, describing the incident as one of the most frightening experiences of his life.
He said the bull suddenly emerged in front of their vehicle while he was driving behind a truck, leaving him with little time to react.
“I saw it barely five metres away. I tried to swerve, but it was too late. We smashed into it despite applying all my defensive driving skills,” he said.
Sibanda said the impact triggered the vehicle’s airbags, temporarily obstructing their vision, but he managed to maintain control and avoid plunging into a ditch before bringing the damaged vehicle to a stop.
Remarkably, both occupants escaped without physical injuries.
He said the bull fell off the bonnet, got up and stumbled towards the roadside before later dying.
Sibanda said the circumstances surrounding how the animal got onto the road remained unclear, particularly as there were no nearby homesteads and both sides of the road were protected by fences.
He described their survival as divine intervention, thanking God and his ancestors for sparing their lives.
The broadcaster also expressed gratitude to people who called and sent messages checking on their welfare following the accident.
He said the experience had reminded him of the fragility of life, adding that while a vehicle could be replaced, human life was irreplaceable.
“We left home to celebrate a coronation, but returned with a testimony of survival. On 12 November, death came knocking, but God said NOT TODAY,” he said.
