“Death Looked Us in the Eyes”: Ezra Tshisa Sibanda Speaks Out After Surviving Horror Car Accident With Modern Ngwenya

Veteran broadcaster Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda has recounted a frightening road accident in which he and former Highlanders vice-chairman Modern Ngwenya narrowly escaped death after their vehicle collided with a stray bull along the Gweru-Bulawayo Road.

The accident happened on Thursday night, November 12, as the two were returning to Bulawayo after attending the coronation of village head Madinga Sibanda in Lower Gweru.

Although their vehicle was badly shaken by the impact, both men escaped without physical injuries. Sibanda later took to Facebook to share details of the terrifying ordeal, describing it as an experience that had brought him face to face with death.

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Ezra Tshisa’s Journey to Lower Gweru Delayed By Car Problems

According to Sibanda, their trip had not gone smoothly from the beginning after his vehicle started losing power around the Kombo area.

He suspected that the car was overheating and had to stop twice to add water before they eventually reached Gweru.

He then left the vehicle with a mechanic for repairs, hired another car and continued to Shagari, where hundreds of people had gathered for the coronation ceremony.

The broadcaster said they spent the afternoon celebrating before he returned to Gweru to collect his vehicle.

After the mechanic assured him that the car was fine, Sibanda and Ngwenya set off for Bulawayo at around 5pm.

Stray Bull Suddenly Appears in Front of Their Vehicle

Their journey took a frightening turn when a large white bull appeared in front of their vehicle while they were travelling behind a truck.

Sibanda said he spotted the animal when it was barely five metres away and attempted to avoid hitting it, but could not prevent the collision.

In his Facebook account, he recalled:

“At approximately the 80-kilometre mark, while following a truck, a huge white bull suddenly appeared in front of us. I saw it barely five metres away. I tried to swerve, but it was too late. We smashed into it applying all my defensive driving skills.”

The collision triggered the airbags, covering the occupants’ faces and briefly obstructing their vision.

Despite the impact, Sibanda managed to keep the vehicle under control and prevent it from plunging into a nearby ditch.

Ezra Tshisa and Modern Ngwenya Escape Without Injuries

After bringing the vehicle to a stop, the two men got out and discovered that neither had sustained physical injuries.

Sibanda said they were shocked by what had happened, particularly given the force of the collision.

He also revealed that the bull fell off the vehicle’s bonnet before getting back on its feet and stumbling towards the roadside, where it later died.

The broadcaster questioned how the animal had accessed the highway, considering that there were no nearby homesteads and both sides of the road were protected by fences.

“What puzzled everyone who stopped to assist was where the animal had come from. There were no nearby homesteads, and both sides of the road were protected by strongly erected fences. Why was it alone, and how did it get onto the road? Questions we may never answer,” he wrote.

Broadcaster Thanks God and Ancestors for Sparing Their Lives

Reflecting on their narrow escape, Sibanda expressed gratitude to God and his ancestors, whom he credited with protecting them during the accident.

He also thanked everyone who called, sent messages and prayed for their safety after learning about the incident.

The broadcaster singled out Ngwenya, saying he had been deeply worried when his cousin remained silent for a few moments following the collision.

He wrote:

“To Modern Skhuthele Ngwenya, I thank God that we both survived, I was deeply worried seeing you silent for some seconds.”

Ezra Tshisa Reflects on How Close They Came to Losing Their Lives

Sibanda said the experience had changed his perspective on the value of life, noting that material possessions could be replaced but human life could not.

He reflected:

“This experience has reminded me that life is fragile. A car can be replaced, money can be recovered, but human life is irreplaceable.”

He added that they had left home to attend a celebration but returned with a story of survival.

“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. We are alive, we are grateful, and we have another chance at life.”