Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
FORMER Hwange and Zesa (Hwange) footballer Chabuka Mwale will be buried at Madumabisa Village Cemetery tomorrow morning.
This was disclosed by his brother, Isaac Mwale.
Chabuka, who turned 56 in January, died on Friday evening following a road traffic accident along the Bulawayo-Kezi Road.
He was driving with his family from his in-laws’ home in Matobo District. Four members of the family he was travelling with sustained bruises and were treated and discharged.
“All is set for the body and family to travel to Hwange on Tuesday morning. He will be buried at Madumabisa Village Cemetery. The post mortem procedures have been done and his body is being transferred to a funeral parlour,” said Isaac as they left United Bulawayo Central Hospital on Monday morning.
Chabuka belonged to a very talented generation of footballers from Hwange who included Simon Mwale, Joseph Chirwa, Isaac Chuma, Patrick Ncube, Noah Nyoni, Mindo Nyoni, Fabian Zulu, Anthony Nakamba, Abiot Nathan Banda, Bernard Tembo, Mathias Malandu, Vincent Chisango, Nobert Ngwenya, Firi Sibanda, Misheck ‘Chubhu’ Sibanda, Vitalis Kamocha, Fanyana Mguni, Arthur Nyadete, Willie Milanzi, Milton Dube, Mbunge Khumalo, Kanjere Mbewe, Lashani Mumba and Masauso ‘Zeure’ Phiri, a majority of whom played for Wankie in the Super League and several Division One clubs in the region.
Chabuka attended Sir Humphrey Gibbs in Hwange where he started his football development playing with the likes of London Khumalo, Mindo Nyoni and Isaac “Sakhi” Tshuma.
He was an outstanding footballer at Tennyson Hlabangana and after school in 1989 played for Megawatt in their first season in Division One alongside Anthony Nakamba, Johannes Mathe and Richard Gumbo.
Chabuka moved to Hwange where his stock as an attacking left-footed midfielder rose playing alongside Mebelo Njekwa, Vitalis Kamocha, Johannes Tshuma, Dumisani Mafikeni, Taboniswa Ncube, Brian Njobvu, Kenneth Ngulube and Nakamba.
Nakamba described Mwale as a gentleman on and off the pitch.
“Mwale was a very good player, a gentleman on and off the pitch, ever smiling and a people’s person,” said Mwale.
Johannes, another of his former teammates said the death had come as a shock.
“I am in complete shock. What a great personality and player he was. You would not fault him as he was a courteous man,” said Johannes.
Max ‘Malume’ Moyo, the Bulawayo chairman of the Former Coaches and Players For ED body, described Mwale as having been a good member of the grouping. He said the former Hwange star was an active participant who was helping shape the organisation.
Mourners are gathered at 1629 Mahatshula.
Mwale leaves behind wife and five children with the youngest 17 years old.
They are expected to leave Bulawayo at 8AM this morning with a brief service at Doves set.
