By Auxilia Katongomara
BULAWAYO socialite and comedian Babongile Skhonjwa is fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit of Mpilo Central Hospital after he was involved in a road traffic accident in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The accident occurred along Luveve Road at the Nguboyenja flyover at around 3AM.
Skhonjwa, 37, who was in the company of fellow comedian, Clive Chigubu and a bouncer from The Lounge nightclub, Leeward Charamba, reportedly failed to negotiate a curve at the flyover resulting in the vehicle hitting a lamppost before over overturning.
He was driving a silver Mercedes Benz C230.
Family friend and one of the first people to attend the scene, Iyasa director Nkululeko Innocent Dube, confirmed the incident.
“The accident happened after 2AM, Babongile was in the company of Clive and security personnel from The Lounge. I was with Babongile at the Iyasa show before we moved to DJ Zinhle’s show at Horizon and we partied till the early hours of the morning. I was surprised when I received a phone call notifying me that the trio had been involved in an accident,” said Dube.
He couldn’t immediately state the extent of the injuries suffered by the popular socialite saying that they were awaiting an X-ray to be conducted today.
“Clive Chigubu suffered injuries and bruises on his back but he was treated and discharged. However, I’m not sure of the bouncer,” he said.
Bulawayo Police provincial spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo, confirmed the accident.
“I can confirm that we received a report about an accident that occurred at Luveve Road and we’re still investigating the cause,” he said.
Sources at the hospital said Skhonjwa suffered broken ribs and punctured lungs.
The sources added that the bouncer ran away from hospital.
His family wasn’t immediately available for comment as a close friend who declined to be named advised the news crew not to speak to his father as he was in shock.
Skhonjwa and Chigubu are some of the country’s top stand up comedians who are known for jokes that have left audiences in stitches. The Chronicle
