Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
Bulawayo Bureau
A SOMBRE atmosphere engulfed Highlanders Football Club offices yesterday as Government officials, football administrators, politicians and members of the Bosso family gathered to mourn the untimely deaths of club chairman and Premier Soccer League vice-chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba and treasurer Nkani Khoza.
The three senior club officials lost their lives in a tragic road traffic accident along the Harare-Bulawayo Road on Thursday night, plunging one of Zimbabwe’s biggest football institutions into mourning.
Amid the grief, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, together with the ruling party, confirmed that they had formally initiated a request for the trio to be accorded State-assisted funerals, describing their contribution to football as deserving of national recognition.
Present at the club offices were Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nicholas Moyo, Zifa vice-president Kennedy Ndebele, Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial leadership and members of the Highlanders board led by chairman Luke Mnkandla.
Zanu PF Central Committee member Cde Mabutho Moyo, a staunch Highlanders supporter, said the party believed the three administrators deserved State recognition.
“Highlanders is a national institution; its appeal touches everyone. In that regard, we are asking the office of the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, to send a formal request to the President that these departed colleagues be granted State-assisted funerals.
“We have lost heroes and we would love to see them receive such recognition. That is the position of the party and we will provide an update on the outcome,” said Cde Moyo.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Moyo confirmed that the ministry had already written to the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, requesting State assistance.
“As the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, we are deeply saddened.
“We convey our deepest condolences. Zimbabwe has suffered a great loss. This has really hit us hard. We may think a lot about it, but what we need to do now is unite.
“As a ministry, we have been dealing with this issue since yesterday evening (Thursday), and today we have written a letter to the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, informing him that, as the ministry responsible for sport, we have suffered a great loss. We are now looking forward to him getting in touch with the President; perhaps we can secure State-assisted funerals,” said Moyo.
Minister Judith Ncube, who was visibly emotional throughout the visit, confirmed that she would immediately formalise the request before leaving for her office.
“I’m at a loss for words. As we looked at the wreckage of the car, we asked ourselves what really transpired. We tried to figure it out, but it was clear there would be no answer.
“I quickly remembered a day when we were seated here at Highlanders’ offices, trying to put our heads together and find a way forward. We did so together with those who have now left us.
“A dark cloud has engulfed us here in Matabeleland, in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole. However, the situation is now upon us and we should accept it so that we bury them with honour. It has happened. We stand together with Highlanders. Silusizi ngomonakalo lo (we are sorry about this disaster).”
Professor Mthuli Ncube, who repeatedly shook his head in disbelief, said the tragedy had left him deeply pained.
“I’m really pained by what has happened. Yesterday (Thursday), my wife was driving from Harare and phoned to say there was a big accident here. I told her to drive slowly.
“Little did we know it was that accident. I am sorry about this. Sonke siyakhala sibili (everyone has been plunged into mourning). Highlanders is an institution of Bulawayo, a national institution. We were looking forward to two fundraising events to help with the 100-year celebrations. It has happened. We hope to find time to visit the families of the departed and see how we can help.”
Speaking on behalf of Highlanders, board chairman Luke Mnkandla said the club remained united with the bereaved families during one of the darkest chapters in its history.
“We are in deep mourning over the tragic loss of life, especially for their families. We extend our sincere condolences and sympathies to the Mhlophe, Siziba and Khoza families. We are with you during this difficult time. May God help us through this difficult period and comfort you as well,” said Mnkandla.
The football fraternity continues to mourn the three administrators, whose deaths have cast a dark shadow over Highlanders’ centenary year and prompted an outpouring of grief from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
