Antony Chawagarira
Bulawayo– President Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted State-assisted funerals to three Highlanders Football Club executive members who were killed in a tragic road traffic accident while returning from the club’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match in Kariba.
The decision was announced on Saturday by Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda during a Parliamentary capacity-building workshop in Bulawayo.
Adv Mudenda said the State-assisted funerals had been approved for Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Fiso Siziba and treasurer Nkani Khoza, who died in the accident on Thursday.
The three were travelling back from Kariba after Highlanders’ league fixture when the vehicle they were travelling in reportedly struck a beast before being involved in the fatal crash.
A fourth victim, Highlanders supporter Mbalenhle Sibanda, also lost her life in the accident.
The deaths of the three club executives have plunged Highlanders, popularly known as Bosso, and the wider football fraternity into mourning, with messages of condolence continuing to pour in from Government, football clubs, sporting organisations and supporters across the country.
The granting of State-assisted funerals recognises the significant contribution made by the late executives to the development of football in Zimbabwe.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the bereaved families in consultation with Government.
