adminMatute, the former secretary-general for the Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League, died at a clinic in East London, South Africa, on Wednesday at the age of 51.
Yesterday, Mutute’s son Irvine, who is in South Africa, said he was trying to get the body to Zimbabwe but he was facing some challenges.
“At the moment I am having some trouble in getting the paper work finalised so that we take the body to Zimbabwe for burial.
“The other challenge I am facing is on finances as I am just a young man and doing all this by myself.
“I have been getting quotations of around R15 000 which is needed to get the body to the border at least.
“From there, I would need more help to take it from Beitbridge to a funeral parlour and then burial possibly at Warren Hills.
“For now nothing is clear yet because I have to get the body to the Zimbabwean side hopefully by mid-week,” said Irvine yesterday.
Matute had been based in South Africa since August last year after having served as the secretary general of the ZWSL at the turn of the millennium.
In 2004, Matute wanted to contest for a post in the Dynamos executive and has also served as chairperson for the Women League in the Southern Region.
Before going to South Africa, Matute had been working as a personal assistant to sports consultant, Shepherd Chiware, on the Dynamos Golden Jubilee Celebrations which are due this year.
Yesterday, Chiware said he was working on mobilising resources to assist the Matute family once the body arrives at Beitbridge.
“The family is planning to get the body to the border but as colleagues, we are trying to come up with sort of a trust fund for well-wishers to help,” said Chiware.
Meanwhile, the Sports Commission said they have received the news of the death of Matute with a sense of sadness
In their condolence message, Sports Commission director-general, Charles Nhemachena, said Matute created opportunities for girls to play football.
“Pauline had a rare and distinct passion for grassroots sport initiatives which were aimed at creating opportunities especially for youths and girls’ empowerment.
“It was through this passion that Pauline was involved with the Youth Education through Sport programme at its inception in 1999 and the Zimbabwe National Youth Games in 2003.
“The football fraternity especially the women’s football and the sporting community in general have been robbed of a hardworking, diligent and dedicated administrator.
“On behalf of the Sports and Recreation Commission and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to express our heartfelt condolence to the Matute family for the sad loss of a lovely daughter and mother.
“We share with them the loss of a great sports administrator,” said Nhemachena.
Matute leaves behind three children, Irvine, Joane and Lorraine.
Online Reporter