Highlanders Football Club has been plunged into mourning following a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of three of its senior executives and a female passenger on Thursday evening.
Club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, vice chairman Fiso Siziba and treasurer Nkani Khoza were killed after the Ford Raptor they were travelling in was involved in a horrific crash near Lochard, about 50 kilometres outside Bulawayo along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
The executives were returning from Kariba after Highlanders’ 1-0 defeat to ZPC Kariba on Wednesday.
According to reports, the Ford Raptor, allegedly driven by Khoza, struck a cow at around 8pm before veering into the path of a C.A.G Travellers Coaches bus travelling towards Harare.
The initial impact reportedly caused the vehicle to sideswipe the bus, disabling its steering before it overturned.
A woman travelling with the executives was allegedly thrown from the vehicle during the rollover and was subsequently struck by another vehicle, dying at the scene.
The crash claimed the lives of all three Highlanders officials as well as the woman.
Mhlophe, a retired Zimbabwe National Army colonel and owner of Nokel Security, was serving his second term as Highlanders chairman. He had recently indicated that he would not seek another term when his current three-year tenure expires in January next year.
Vice chairman Siziba served as a superintendent in the Zimbabwe Republic Police, while Khoza was the proprietor of Totally Uniforms, a company specialising in school uniforms and educational supplies.
The tragedy left members of the Highlanders football family visibly shaken.
Head coach Benjani Mwaruwari and team manager Zenzo Moyo travelled to the crash scene, where they were confronted with the devastating aftermath of the accident.
Witnesses said the two club officials appeared deeply distressed as emergency services recovered the victims.
Police officers conducted a painstaking recovery operation before clearing the scene. Three of the bodies were transported in a police single-cab vehicle, while the woman’s body was placed in a metal coffin before being taken away.
The accident has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwean football, with Highlanders losing three of the club’s most senior administrators in a single incident.
Police are expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
