Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
HIGHLANDERS Football Club has expressed its profound gratitude to President Mnangagwa, Government, sponsors, supporters and the football fraternity for standing with the club following the tragic death of three executive members and a supporter in a road accident last week.
In a statement issued ON Friday by the club’s Interim Executive Committee, Highlanders thanked President Mnangagwa for his condolence message and for granting state-assisted status to the deceased, saying the support provided strength to the club and families of the departed during a difficult period.
The accident that occurred on 23 July 2026, claimed the lives of club chairman Colonel (Retired) Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba, executive committee member responsible for finance Nkani Khoza and club member and supporter Mbalenhle Sibanda, plunging the Bulawayo giants and the football community into mourning.
Highlanders thanked President Mnangagwa for his message of condolence conveyed through Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, who supported and consoled the club and bereaved families throughout the mourning period.
“The club sincerely thanks His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Dr E.D. Mnangagwa for his message of condolence conveyed through the Honourable Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Honourable Judith Ncube, who worked tirelessly supporting and consoling the club and the families of the departed colleagues during the entire mourning period,” said Highlanders.
The club also expressed appreciation to Government for according state-assisted status to the departed leaders and supporter.
“The club is grateful and highly appreciative for the state-assisted status granted to the departed club leaders and the club member by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Government as a whole,” said the club.
Highlanders further thanked Government ministries, including the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, for their assistance with logistics and coordination during the funeral arrangements.
The club also acknowledged the City of Bulawayo for providing Barbourfields Stadium as the venue for the memorial service and Lady Stanley Cemetery as the final resting place for the three executive members, while offering logistical support and municipal services.
The Bulawayo giants paid tribute to the football fraternity, including the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), Premier Soccer League (PSL), lower division clubs and other sporting organisations for suspending fixtures, issuing messages of solidarity and providing financial and moral support.
Highlanders also expressed gratitude to corporate partners and sponsors who contributed towards funeral arrangements through financial assistance, fuel, food, tents, burial services and other material support.
The club singled out its traditional sponsors Sakunda, CBZ, BFB, Nyaradzo Life Assurance Company, Corporate 24, Sanctuary, Spin City, Apple Connect, Pula Water, Willsgroove and benefactor Sir Wicknell Chivayo for their continued support.
“Your compassion has reminded us that football is more than a game. It is community, it is family. Because of you we have found strength to begin healing and to carry forward the legacy of our departed leaders and club member,” said Highlanders.
The club also thanked its members and supporters for their prayers, messages of condolence, donations and for turning out in large numbers to bid farewell to the deceased.
Highlanders pledged to honour the memory of the departed officials by upholding the values they stood for and working towards stabilising and rebuilding the club.
The club revealed that it would continue pursuing its centenary celebrations programme and activities initiated by the late leaders, including the Legacy Golf Tribute scheduled for 14 August 2026.
derick.khumalo