COVID-19 SCARE

Woman dies @ shopping centre spends night uncollected

AN unidentified woman reportedly died at Pennywise Shopping Centre on Friday late afternoon after people failed to assist her in fear of Covid-19.

The woman’s body was left lying lifeless, with people concluding she had died due to an unknown ailment while flies were hovering over her face and body.

When H-Metro got to the scene on the fateful day, there were no people as many had to abide by the curfew regulations.

However, a witness who had seen the woman on Thursday loitering around the shopping area said she was asking people around for part time jobs.

“She was seen on Thursday asking for piece jobs and later on people began to give her some food as she was showing signs of sickness.

“Even these food outlets also gave her some food.

“Another woman saw her and indicated that she was once a hooker in the Avenues.

“Akatoti ko ndozvaakuita nhai musikana uyu, yet she used to be in the streets with other ladies of the night.”

The woman was later seen during the day by people who failed to assist her in fear of Covid-19.

“There was a nurse who came on Thursday, but she told people that the hospitals were full and there was no ambulance to ferry her to the hospital.

“Upon realising she cannot render any help, the nurse left and well-wishers tried to engage these outlets to help her, but they all turned a deaf ear.

“People watched her dying and she had all her belongings.

“Before she became powerless, she tried to rise up after she was asked, but failed.

“We called police from Highlands, but the response was slow.

“People tried to raise alarm to help this person, but they ignored.”

Another witness said:

“I think these companies should play a part. How come the woman died on their doorstep and they did nothing.

“I left this woman here on Thursday. She was asking for transport money and she said she was going somewhere.

“She was not able to talk or hear, we bought her some food.

“We saw it physically that she was not feeling well.”

Witnesses debated whether it was Covid-19 or not.

“I don’t think this is Covid-19, but she arrived here and we bought her some food and gave her some transport money.

“She told us that she had no transport money.

“She was just loitering around this place and she would sleep anywhere. She could not eat, she was not able to speak.

“The nurse came, but she did not give us a way forward before she left.”

Police from Highlands arrived on Friday midmorning, but they could not render any help as they had no personal protective clothing, gloves or a coffin.

“City of Harare came here and only sprayed some disinfectants and they left.

“She was later removed by ZRP Highlands and taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

“After she was removed, her sister came to the scene saying she learnt of the passing on of the deceased when she saw her pictures in one of the groups.

“She alleges they last saw the deceased a year ago before she ran away from home to start life on the streets in the Avenues,” added the source.

Shops as well as a pharmacy at the shopping centre had to close for the better part of Saturday following the incident.