State-assisted funerals sought for Bosso trio

A sombre mood engulfed Highlanders Football Club offices in Bulawayo yesterday as Government officials, football administrators, politicians and members of the Bosso family gathered to mourn the 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 died in a road traffic accident along the Harare-Bulawayo Road on Thursday night, plunging one of Zimbabwe's most celebrated football clubs into mourning.

During the visit, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Zanu-PF confirmed that they had initiated requests for the trio to be accorded State-assisted funerals in recognition of their contribution to Zimbabwean football.

Among those who attended the condolence visit 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 leaders and the Highlanders board led by chairman Luke Mnkandla.

Zanu-PF Central Committee member Mabutho Moyo said the party believed the three administrators deserved national recognition for their service to football.

"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," he said.

Permanent Secretary Nicholas Moyo confirmed that the Ministry of Sport had already written to Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, requesting State assistance for the funerals.

"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, 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," he said.

An emotional Judith Ncube said she would immediately formalise the request following the visit.

"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. We stand together with Highlanders."

Professor Mthuli Ncube described the tragedy as deeply painful, recalling that his wife had encountered traffic delays caused by the crash while travelling from Harare.

"I'm really pained by what has happened. Yesterday 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. 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. We hope to find time to visit the families of the departed and see how we can help," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the club, Highlanders board chairman Luke Mnkandla said Bosso stood firmly with the bereaved families during one of the darkest moments in the club's 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," he said.

The deaths of the three administrators have sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe's football community, casting a shadow over Highlanders' centenary celebrations and prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the country.