Woman (41) Collapses, Dies in CBD Betting Shop

Itai Mazire

Shock and panic gripped a local soccer betting house in Bulawayo’s Central Business District yesterday morning when a 41-year-old woman suddenly collapsed and died in full view of stunned punters.

The deceased has been identified as Josephine Makiwa of Mpopoma suburb.

Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the tragic incident that occurred on 11 February 2026, at approximately 1100 hours.

Witnesses described a harrowing scene as Makiwa, who had just entered the establishment and taken a seat, began vomiting uncontrollably before losing consciousness.

Inspector Msebele, confirmed the tragedy, stating that the rapid turn of events left bystanders with little time to react.

“On the 11 February 2026 at around 1100 hours, the now deceased Josephine Makiwa, entered into the betting house, sat on the chair, suddenly started vomiting and collapsed,” said Inspector Msebele.

As the gravity of the situation became apparent, frantic punters inside the shop scrambled to call for medical assistance.

However, despite the swift arrival of an ambulance, the 41-year-old could not be saved.

“She became unconscious and the punters who were inside the shop called an ambulance who pronounced her dead upon arrival.

The sudden nature of the death has cast a somber shadow over the busy CBD, with many regular patrons of the betting mall left in disbelief.

While the cause of death remains unknown, authorities have launched a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”Investigations are in progress and we are urging anyone with information that might assist in the investigation to come forward as they piece together the final moments of the Mpopoma woman’s life.