A Bulawayo family is demanding answers after Mpilo Central Hospital mistakenly informed them that their 79-year-old relative, Idah Mushongahande, had died—only for them to find her alive when they arrived to collect her body.
The ordeal began on December 1 when Mushongahande was admitted for arthritis and Parkinson’s disease. According to her granddaughter, Chantel Dube, the family received a devastating phone call the following day at 10:08 PM, notifying them that their grandmother had passed away.
Believing the information to be true, the family immediately began funeral arrangements with Nyaradzo Funeral Services.
But upon arriving at the hospital, their grief turned into shock and confusion.
“Her pulse was strong, and she did not look like someone who was about to die,”
— Chantel Dube
Dube said the nurses on duty simply referred to the incident as a “mistake,” offering no proper explanation. The family is now considering legal action over what they describe as negligent and traumatic handling of the situation.
Hospital spokesperson Matron Norma Dube could not be reached for comment. Hospital CEO Dr. Narcissus Dzvanga referred all inquiries to Clinical Director Professor Solwayo Ngwenya.
Prof. Ngwenya acknowledged the incident and said internal investigations had begun.
“We grieve with the family and we are sorry for the trauma they went through. We will comment further once the report is complete,”
— Prof. Solwayo Ngwenya
The family says the emotional distress caused by the false death notification is immeasurable, and they expect full accountability from the hospital.
