CATHERINE MUROMBEDZI
CORRESPONDENT
In this Two-Part Series running from 1998, . . . safety through prompt ambulance response
PART 1
Taking you back in time, and the year is 1998. It’s around 13.30 hours on a Tuesday, May 21, 1998. Globally, the Spice Girls performed “Viva Forever” on Top of the Pops for what was their last television performance.
A few days later Geri Halliwell left the group, marking the end of the all-five girl group that had rocked the world since 1996.
So, the day is etched in me on two sad fronts.
I work for one of the leading weekly newspapers as a sub editor. Our offices occupy a block at Number 1 Union Ave. The newsroom overlooks Rotten Row, a stonethrow away from the ZANU PF Headquarters.
We are fully computerised and can surf the net while watching global news on the newsroom screen.
Its lunch time. I had pre-ordered a meal, and I am enjoying my sadza and guru.
Suddenly, we hear brakes screeching along Rotten Row. Someone outside shouts an accident. We lean over the window to see . . . In a flash, an ambulance arrives and in no time, it sounds the siren after promptly picking up the accident survivor, whiiwhiiiiwhiiiiwhiiiii . . . it goes into the distance.
I get back to my lunch. If you are Zimbabwean like me, you know that maguru coagulate in no time. (anogwamba). I finish eating and as I walk to throw away the leftovers in the kitchen bin, I meet the security gateman carrying my son’s satchel.
I ask him, “Where is Raymond?”
“He has been knocked down …”
I give out a shriking wail sending One Union akimbo.
“Amai kaniii, Amai”
Joram Nyathi, Basildon Peta, Vincent Kahiya, pick me up from the floor.The editor’s secretary Chengetai Gurupira calls my elder sister, Mabel to inform her.
Trevor Ncube, the editor orders the driver to take me to the hospital accompanied by Joy Makulu.
Clive Murphy and Clive Wilson, the owners of The Zimbabwe Independent proprietors had extended their kindness by offering to fly my son to South Africa for comprehensive treatment if need be.
The driver is calm as I weep. Our first call is The Avenues Clinic, they don’t have any road traffic accident incident there. We are off to The Trauma Centre, nothing… We try Parirenyatwa, and the guard at Casualty says “yes, a school boy has been wheeled through.”
“Is he alive?” I ask, rushing in.
A helpful nurse aide comes to my assistance and takes me to the Resuscitation Room.
There, my boy’s head is covered in blood stained bandages. Sisi Mabel is already there and she hugs me. “He will be alright.”
The nurse says the risk is over, the scan shows no internal injuries. She says the patient is drowsy from medications, but not in danger.
I call him, and he answers, “Mommy”
That was the sweet mommy ever.
The doctor comes back and signs my boy to the accident ward.
I hold his hand tightly as he is wheeled off.
I stay by his bedside, talking but he is fast asleep again.
The driver who had knocked my boy down follows to the hospital after the police procedures at the accident scene.
He says he is sorry.
“The school children were crossing at the designated point in a group and being the one at the back, I under estimated his walking pace.”
He says he is sorry and would like to settle the hospital bill and everything needed.
I left my boy’s bedside at 10pm exhausted and worried.
The next day at 6am, I am back, the boy is awake and recognises me.
On the third day, he is discharged and walks out with a bump and smaller bandage on his head.
The accident driver later paid a visit at home when Ray was discharged, showing Ubuntu.
Today, a small scar is the reminder of traffic safety.
I am back at work after a full week at home.
I call Cimas enquiring on the bill.
The nice voice at the end puts me through to enquiries department and explain myself.
I get the sweetest news ever.
“Madam, you did not call us. Our ambulance was passing by. We don’t leave accident victims if we are nearby. It’s our Call of Mercy, you have no bill to settle.”
I can’t believe it, no bill.
“Oh thank you, may God bless you, may God bless Cimas,” and with that we ended.
Today, my son is a lawyer, running Nembo Attorneys He is happily married to Munatsireyi and the couple is blessed with two minor children.
A legacy of mercy from 1998, Cimas Ambulance Services Rescue was an angel in a crisis.
Cimas didn’t just save a life — they earned a legacy, because mercy isn’t a memory — it’s a movement.
Cimas @t 80, a history of caring, where every heartbeat matters.
● Feedback: cathymwauyakufa@gmail.com
● Part 2, Frequently asked questions. When do I call for ambulance rescue?
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