Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER ZRP Bulawayo midfielder Assistant Inspector Mthokozisi Sibanda and his wife Nomagugu Tshuma, who died on Friday night when the car he was driving was involved in a head-on collision with a haulage truck, were laid to rest amid emotional scenes at West Park Cemetery yesterday.
Sibanda (45) and his wife (41) were travelling from Victoria Falls when the accident occurred, as he tried to avoid some cattle which had strayed onto the road just before Kenmaur, in Lupane. He died on the spot while his wife died on her way to hospital.
More than 1 000 mourners, who included senior police commanders, workmates, relatives and former players, attended the moving ceremony that started at the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa in Njube before the funeral cortege made its way to West Park for burial.
Some of the football personalities that attended the funeral included former Highlanders’ chairman Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda, former Bosso players Zenzo Moyo, Netsai Moyo, Mkhuphali Masuku and Herbert Dick.
Highlanders’ committee member Wisdom Mabhena, Chicken Inn secretary-general Tawengwa Hara and Zifa Southern Region executive committee member Fiso Siziba also attended the burial.
Speaker after speaker spoke glowingly of the late Sibanda, who played his last game on October 10 at Ross Camp grounds for the ZRP Bulawayo HQ social team.
Besides playing for the ZRP social team, Sibanda was a member of the Globetrotters social football team that competes in Bulawayo’s Golden Oldies League.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter