Heroes in boots, helmets. . . Men and women who put their lives on the line

Raymond Jaravaza, ray.jaravaza@chronicle.co.zw

WHEN firefighter Sidalubuhle Mkhwebu arrived at the scene of a late-night accident along Harare Road, she was prepared for the worst — but nothing could have prepared her for the shock of discovering that the person trapped in the mangled wreckage was her best friend.

The seasoned firefighter was part of a Bulawayo Fire Brigade crew responding to a collision involving a fuel tanker and a small vehicle. Eyewitnesses had alerted the North End Fire Station around 11PM, reporting that someone was trapped in the smaller car, which had been struck by the tanker after it hit a cow.

“A truck carrying fuel had struck a cow, and another small vehicle got involved in the accident. I’ve spent my career saving lives, but that incident was different. The victim in the small car was my best friend, and I made a vow to myself during the rescue mission that I would not lose someone so close to me,” Mkhwebu recalled.

Thanks to her swift and determined efforts, her friend survived, was taken to hospital, and later made a full recovery.

Now 33, Mkhwebu says firefighting runs in her blood. Her late father served in the Bulawayo Fire Brigade until his passing in 2004. Inspired by his legacy, she left her job as a police officer to join the brigade as a casual firefighter. In 2020, she formally applied and became a full-time member of the team.

“I truly believe that firefighting is a calling I was meant to fulfil. I’m also a regular blood donor and a firm believer in saving lives,” she said.

To young girls aspiring to join the profession, her message is clear: “It’s not a job for men only. It takes passion and hard work to become a lifesaver.”

For 23-year-old Buhlebethu Ngwenya, who joined the brigade three years ago, the job is demanding and often dangerous — but working with a dedicated team helps her stay calm under pressure. She recalls a particularly harrowing rescue on a rainy night two years ago, when her crew responded to a haulage truck that had plunged into a ditch.

“It was dark and raining, but we weren’t fazed by the harsh weather. Our mission was to rescue the driver from the wreckage — and we did. He was transferred to hospital,” she said.

Clearing the road of the truck’s scattered load was also part of the job.

“It’s our duty to work through the night and only leave the scene once it is safe for motorists and the public,” she said.

Veteran firefighter Delight Qongo, who joined the brigade in 2008, still remembers the heartbreak of a callout in Mbalabala three years ago. Initial reports indicated only the driver was trapped, but the team discovered three more passengers — two children and a woman — inside the wreckage. Tragically, all four had died.

“That scene remains one of the most heartbreaking I’ve ever responded to. In the fire service, we say no incident is ever the same. We treat each one differently, but our goal is always to save lives and protect property,” said Qongo.

Last Saturday, a Zimpapers news crew witnessed the bravery of Bulawayo’s firefighters’ first-hand when they averted a potential disaster after a 37 000-litre fuel tanker carrying petrol and diesel was involved in an accident just after Umguza River along the Bulawayo–Harare Road.

The tanker, carrying 19 500 litres of petrol and 17 500 litres of diesel, collided with a Nissan vehicle, causing the smaller car to spin and strike the tanker. Around 5 000 litres of diesel were lost, but miraculously, no fatalities were recorded.

After clearing the wreckage, the firefighters decontaminated the area by covering the diesel-soaked ground with soil.

Despite the risk of fire and other hazards, the team worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of motorists and the public.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo praised the dedication of his team, noting that the profession demands passion, hard work, discipline, and unwavering commitment.

 

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