President accords State-assisted funerals to Highlanders quartet

Source: President accords State-assisted funerals to Highlanders quartet – herald

Vusumuzi Dube and Lovemore Dube Sunday News Reporters

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has accorded State-assisted funerals to the four Highlanders Football Club members who died in a tragic road traffic accident in Insiza on Thursday while returning from the club’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League away fixture in Kariba.

The quartet, Highlanders chairman Colonel (Retired) Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Mr Fiso Siziba, board member responsible for finance Mr Nkani Khoza and club member Ms Mbalenhle Sibanda, died on the spot when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a fatal accident along the Bulawayo-Gweru Road.

The decision was conveyed to the Highlanders board and executive by Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube during a visit to the club’s offices yesterday.

She later visited the bereaved families to deliver President Mnangagwa’s message of condolence and inform them that Government would meet the funeral costs.

In a condolence message released through the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, President Mnangagwa described the tragedy as a devastating loss not only to Highlanders Football Club but to the nation.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sorrow that I learned of the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of three distinguished Executive Members of Highlanders Football Club, Colonel (Rtd) Kenneth Mhlophe, the Chairman, Mr Fiso Siziba, the Vice Chairman and Mr Nkani Khoza, the Treasurer,” said the President. President Mnangagwa said Highlanders Football Club occupies a unique place in Zimbabwe’s sporting landscape and national identity.

“Highlanders Football Club is more than a team. It is an institution, a symbol of our heritage, unity, and national pride. These departed sons of the soil dedicated their lives to the development of football in Zimbabwe, serving Bosso and the nation with dedication, humility and love for the game.

“To lose three custodians of such a revered national institution in one tragic moment is a loss, not only to Highlanders, but to the entire nation,” he said.

The President extended his deepest condolences to the Highlanders family, the bereaved families, friends and the entire football fraternity.

“On behalf of Government, Zanu-PF and the people of Zimbabwe, I extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Highlanders Football Club family, to the bereaved families, friends and to the entire football fraternity.

“I have directed that the deceased be accorded State-assisted funerals. We pray that the Almighty grants the departed souls eternal peace and their families strength and comfort during this period of grief.”

Speaking after meeting Highlanders officials, Minister Ncube said the deaths had sent shockwaves across Bulawayo and the nation.

“We are shocked as the Bulawayo community. As Zimbabweans we are in shock over the tragedy that has befallen us. We have been sent by President ED Mnangagwa to convey his deepest sympathies to the Mhlophe family, the Highlanders FC family and the Bulawayo community over the tragedy.

“For that reason and the way they lost their lives, they have been given State-assisted funerals,” she said.

She explained that Government officials would work closely with the bereaved families to identify and meet all funeral-related requirements.

“In instances such as these, family representatives meet directors from the State and go through the needs list of the families, with Government covering the expenses,” said Minister Ncube.

The minister also dismissed social media reports suggesting that only the three executive members would receive State assistance, stressing that Government’s support extends to all four victims.

“I’m sure you have heard us say that things that come out on social media sometimes mislead us and we end up losing direction and being on the wrong track. The Government will give State-assisted funerals to the people who lost their lives in this accident. We have four people who lost their lives in the accident, therefore they are all catered for by the State,” she said.

Highlanders Football Club board chairman Luke Mnkandla expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa and the Government for according the four victims State-assisted funerals, saying the gesture had brought comfort to the club and the bereaved families during an immensely difficult period.

“We are grateful for what has been delivered by Minister Judith Ncube. As Highlanders Football Club, we are happy that they will be buried in a respectful and dignified manner and it’s coming from right at the top, from President Mnangagwa. We are very grateful,” said Mnkandla.

“We are grateful for the honour and respect. It is a bit easier considering the difficult situation which is there when there is support. We are very heartbroken and sad. We are asking ourselves why.

We have been asking ourselves, what have we done wrong to deserve such a tragedy to occur?”

Mnkandla said the club appreciated the overwhelming support it had received from Government, the football fraternity and the public, adding that Highlanders would continue working closely with Government authorities and the bereaved families on funeral arrangements.

He said the club was also organising a memorial service, which is scheduled to be held tomorrow morning at Barbourfields Stadium to give the Bosso family and supporters an opportunity to pay their final respects to the departed quartet.

The quartet was travelling back from Kariba, where Highlanders had lost 1-0 to ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.

It is alleged that the vehicle they were travelling in struck a beast before veering into the path of an oncoming bus, resulting in a collision involving several vehicles.

The tragedy has plunged Highlanders Football Club, the football fraternity and the nation into mourning, with tributes continuing to pour in from Government, sporting organisations and supporters in honour of the four Bosso members whose service and commitment left an indelible mark on Zimbabwean football.