BREAKING: Four Highlanders crash victims accorded State-assisted funerals

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has granted State-assisted funerals to the four Highlanders Football Club members who died in a tragic road traffic accident while returning from the club’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against ZPC Kariba on Thursday.

Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, confirmed the development when she paid a condolence visit to Highlanders’ offices along Robert Mugabe Way on Saturday afternoon.

The minister said Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Fiso Siziba, board member responsible for finance Nkani Khoza and club member Mbalenhle Sibanda would all be accorded State-assisted funerals in recognition of their contribution to sport and the community.

Following the visit to the club, Minister Ncube, accompanied by senior Government officials and security service chiefs, visited the bereaved families to convey condolences and inform them of the Government’s decision.

The four died on the spot when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a fatal accident at Lochard in Insiza District as they returned from Highlanders’ Castle Lager Premier Soccer League away fixture in Kariba on Thursday.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the respective families in conjunction with Government and Highlanders Football Club.