'Resurrected' granny dies for real

IMAGINE the anguish of arriving at a hospital with grieving relatives to collect the body of a loved one, only to discover that the person is alive and conscious. For one Bulawayo family, that moment of disbelief briefly felt like a miracle, before spiralling into what they describe as a harrowing ordeal marked by alleged professional negligence and a second, final tragedy.

The family of 79-year-old Idah Mushongahande is now considering legal action against nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital following a sequence of events they have labelled shocking and deeply disturbing.

Mushongahande was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital on December 1, 2025, where she was receiving treatment for arthritis and Parkinson's disease. According to the family, doctors had little optimism about her recovery, preparing them for the worst.

Their fears appeared to be confirmed the following night when, at 10.08pm, the family received a phone call from the hospital informing them that Mushongahande had passed away.

"We informed relatives immediately and they began travelling for the funeral," said her granddaughter, Chantel Dube. "We even filed a claim with Nyaradzo Funeral Services, which was processed without delay."

Still in shock, the family went to the hospital to collect the body. Instead, they were stunned to find Mushongahande alive.

"We found granny breathing normally. Her pulse was strong and she did not look to be in immediate danger," Dube said.

The family claims the nurses on duty reacted with indifference rather than remorse when confronted about the error. Matters worsened, Dube said, when the family raised concerns about potential legal consequences arising from the funeral insurance claim that had been filed based on the hospital's notification.

"One nurse mocked us and asked why we were in such a hurry to claim the money," Dube alleged.

As tensions escalated and the family threatened legal action, Dube claims one nurse issued what they perceived to be a veiled threat.

"She said, ‘If you are going to act like that, we will end up…' before she was interrupted," Dube said.

Distressed, the family escalated the matter to senior matrons, whom they later praised for their professionalism and assistance. The family was advised to have Mushongahande undergo an international normalised ratio (INR) test at Lancet House, which they were required to pay for.

While Mpilo Central Hospital chief executive officer Dr Narcissus Dzvanga was unavailable for comment, the hospital's clinical director, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, expressed condolences to the family and confirmed that the matter was under investigation.

"Internal procedures have been instituted," Prof Ngwenya said. "I cannot comment fully until we have a complete report, but we grieve with the family and are sorry for the trauma they experienced."

The family remains resolute in its pursuit of justice, insisting that those responsible be held accountable. They have, however, singled out a senior matron for praise, saying she went beyond her duties by assisting them with her own vehicle during the ordeal.