BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has joined the football fraternity in mourning Highlanders Football Club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, vice chairman Fiso Siziba and treasurer Nkani Khoza, who were killed in a road accident on Thursday evening as they made their way back from Kariba.
The three club officials died when their Ford Raptor hit a cow at around 8PM in Lochard, some 50km outside Bulawayo along the Harare highway, before colliding with a bus heading in the opposite direction.
A woman travelling with the executives was thrown from the vehicle when it overturned and was then run over by another car, killing her instantly.
The club officials were returning from Kariba, where Highlanders had lost 1-0 to ZPC Kariba on Wednesday.
In a statement on Friday, ZIFA said the loss was “immeasurable” for Highlanders, the city of Bulawayo and Zimbabwean football as a whole, adding that the trio’s “unwavering commitment, selfless service and leadership made an enduring contribution to one of the country’s most iconic football institutions.”
The association noted the timing of the tragedy, coming as Highlanders marks its centenary year.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said football had lost “three devoted servants whose passion and commitment helped shape one of our nation’s greatest football institutions.”
“We are devastated by this heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Kenneth Mhlophe, Fiso Siziba and Nkani Khoza, as well as the entire Highlanders family,” Magwizi said.
“It is especially painful that this loss comes during Highlanders’ centenary year, a time that should have been filled with celebration and reflection on a remarkable legacy. Instead, the football family is united in mourning.”
Mhlophe, a retired army colonel who owned Nokel Security, was in his second spell as Highlanders chairman. He had recently indicated he would not seek re-election when his three-year term ends in January.
Siziba was a superintendent in the Zimbabwe Republic Police, while Khoza owned Totally Uniforms, a company specialising in school supplies.
