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Buhlebenkosi Linda (with bandaged head) shows the damaged house to The Chronicle news crew.

Temba Dube Senior Reporter
A WOMAN from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb had her evening TV viewing rudely interrupted by an unwelcome visitor: a car in her living room. Police say the driver of a green BMW which levelled two rooms and partially damaged a third was celebrating Dynamos’ capture of their third Premier League title on the spin on Sunday.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo told Chronicle: “We are investigating a case in which a man drove a car dangerously and recklessly, allegedly to celebrate his football team’s win.

“He crashed into two cars before ramming into a house and injuring an occupant. The suspect will appear in court soon.”
Witnesses said the driver, identified as Mr Mbuso Ngwenya of Nkulumane 5, was speeding “abnormally” when the accident occurred just after 9pm on Sunday.

His BMW flew over a drainage trench and destroyed a precast wall before ramming into House Number 4361 in the suburb.
Ms Buhlebenkosi Linda (24), who was seated on a sofa that was hit by the car, told Chronicle she was lucky to be alive.

“I was watching television when I heard a screeching sound. The next thing I saw people carrying me outside asking each other if I was still alive,” said Ms Linda, who wore bandages on her right knee and forehead after undergoing hospital treatment.

Her cousin, Ms Abigail Gumpo (21), who was sleeping in another room, said she heard a loud bang that shook the house.
“I fell off the bed and electricity went out. I heard my cousin screaming. I was very scared. I used my cell phone to light up the way as I went in search of my cousin.

I could not locate her. The house had been destroyed and I didn’t know what to do,” said Ms Gumpo.
She said neighbours arrived and they dug through rubble in the living room to unearth her cousin.
Mr Ngwenya’s BMW was a mangled wreck.

“She didn’t look alive. I called an ambulance and also called relatives. I was shocked to see a car in the house. The ambulance arrived and rushed Buhle to Mpilo (Central Hospital). She was treated and discharged the following morning,” said Ms Gumpo.

Ms Gumpo’s mother, Mrs Sithengeni Gumpo (45) said Ms Linda’s survival was a miracle.
“I wasn’t there but neighbours tell me that there were large blocks of rubble around her head. Anyone of them could have crushed her head, but she survived. We are from Galen House where she just had some X-rays taken.

“It’s a miracle that she only had four stitches on her forehead and a knock on the knee which is causing her to walk with a limp.”
She said household goods that included a home theatre system, sofas, room divider, a radio and some tables were  destroyed.

“The boy’s father was here yesterday. He agreed to pay for the reconstruction of the wall and house. He also pledged to meet hospital bills and replace the furniture,” said Mrs Gumpo.

When Chronicle visited the home of the Dynamos supporter to get his comment, he pretended to be someone else and said Mr Ngwenya was not at home. Later, he phoned and said he had no comment.

Neighbours said Mr Ngwenya narrowly missed two people on the road as his vehicle careened towards the house.
“He had a girlfriend with him in the car. They were both saved by airbags in the vehicle. After the crash, the girlfriend took time to recover, and then crawled out of the car before fleeing into the darkness. I think they had both been drinking because there were bottles of beer in the car,” said one of the neighbours.