By Aaron Zimano-Mujuru
Church member, Mr John Chinokovamwa Siziba of Defe narrowly escaped death when a bull elephant attacked him as he walked to his maize field in the Eightline Area on the morning of 22 April.
The incident occurred near the cemetery at Zion City in Defe, Gokwe South when the man unexpectedly faced the agitated elephant in his footpath.
Although the Defe settlement borders the Chirisa Game Park, villagers say elephants are not commonly seen and last frequented the area years ago.
The day could have ended in tragedy, had it not been for God’s grace as the bull elephant let off the 38-old Mr Siziba.
He says he is still in shock after the jumbo, which outran him, spared him when he tripped and fell to the ground. It eventually uprooted surrounding bushes.
According to his account, the jumbo spotted him from a distance in the thick foliage.
He only realised the danger when he was close to the animal, before it suddenly charged.
He says as confusion and panic overtook him, he tried to sprint off, but fell to the ground.
With the colossal animal hulking over him, it started uprooting surrounding shrubs, before walking away.
The African bush elephant is the largest living terrestrial mammal and can easily trample a man to death.
In remote communities bordering wildlife territories there is growing competition for resources between humans and animals.
Here, herds of elephants and other wild animals often stray into planted fields, damaging crops and sometimes killing people.
Mr Siziba is grateful to the God of Zion for surviving the terrifying experience.
He attributed his miraculous escape to belief in God, and his adherence to the teachings of His Grace Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi.
“Truly, I survived by God’s grace so I can testify how I was spared,” said Mr Siziba citing Psalms 50 vs. 5 as well as Psalms 65 vs. 1.
Following the incident, the community refer to him as the man raised from the dead.
Born in December 1983 in the Beatrice area of Zimbabwe, Mr Siziba was raised in Defe by his late uncle, Elder Madiramhamba.
He is head of Defe-Eightline tabernacle.