Cephas Shava
13 Feb 2017 – MWENEZI – A 27-year-old Mwenezi man is battling for his life at Neshuro District Hospital after he was injured in a freak accident while offloading cement from a delivery truck.
Phinias Chauke of Mukahamari village, Chief Neshuro, sustained spinal injuries after the truck’s side trailer hit him below the chest while offloading the commodity at Chingwanga Hardware, Neshuro growth point, a few weeks ago.
While trying to open the truck load, Chauke was hit by the side door of the truck whose load was reportedly made-up of more than 600 bags of cement.
As a result Chauke collapsed and some bags of cement fell on top of him.
He was initially transferred from Neshuro hospital to Masvingo General Hospital from where he was again referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and later on to Parerenyatwa Hospital where he underwent surgery and discharged.
His condition has however deteriorated of late and he has developed deep sores on his backside and legs. His family took him back to Neshuro District Hospital where he is currently admitted but is not able to walk or bend.
Speaking to TellZim News while in hospital, Chauke said he was now indebted to the hospitals yet he has not recovered.
“At UBH we left an unpaid hospital bill of more than US$1000 and at Parerenyatwa we owe more than $1400. At Masvingo General and here at Neshuro, I am not sure but the bills are very high,” said Chauke.
“The only hospital bill that was paid was the $1500 that was raised through contributions of my family members and parents. We also received $230 from Chingwanga,” Chauke added.
Chingwanga’s Neshuro branch manager, Richard Murwei referred all questions to his boss, Gerald Mapurisa.
Mapurisa acknowledged Chauke’s miserable condition but said his organisation had contributed to make sure he recovers and said he will brief his bosses in Chiredzi on the way forward.
Back-breaking and dangerous yet poorly paid piece jobs of offloading trucks have become the only hope for the unemployed young men in Mwenezi.local
