Tragedy Strikes Zimbabwean Football: Highlanders FC Leadership Perishes in Horrific Road Crash
BULAWAYO – Zimbabwean football has been plunged into profound mourning following a devastating road traffic accident that claimed the lives of three senior executives of Highlanders Football Club and a female passenger. The horrific incident occurred on Thursday evening, 23 July 2026, along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway, near the Lochard area, approximately 50 to 60 kilometres outside Bulawayo.
The deceased have been identified as Highlanders FC Executive Chairman, Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe; Vice-Chairman, Fiso Siziba; and Treasurer, Nkani Khoza. An unidentified woman, who was travelling with the officials, also perished in the crash. The tragic loss has sent ripples of grief throughout the nation’s sporting community and beyond.
A Fateful Journey Home
The Highlanders officials were returning from Kariba, a resort town in northern Zimbabwe, where their beloved club, affectionately known as Bosso, had suffered a 1-0 defeat to ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match on Wednesday afternoon. The journey back was meant to be a routine trip, but it ended in unimaginable tragedy.
According to preliminary reports and eyewitness accounts, the black Ford Raptor, allegedly driven by Treasurer Nkani Khoza, struck a cow that had strayed onto the highway at approximately 8:00 PM. The impact caused the vehicle to veer uncontrollably, reportedly side-swiping a C.A.G Travellers Coaches bus that was travelling towards Harare. The initial collision is believed to have disabled the Raptor’s steering, leading to a catastrophic rollover. During the violent sequence of events, the female passenger was tragically ejected from the vehicle and subsequently run over by another car, possibly a Nissan, dying instantly at the scene.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter devastation. One unnamed witness recounted the horror, stating, “The lady who was in the car had her head severed off. What I saw is so tragic. They hit a cow, then they had a head-on collision with the bus; the bus driver was hurt. The Raptor overturned, threw out one of the occupants and crushed the woman.” The Bulawayo Fire Brigade was swiftly called to the scene to assist in the arduous task of extricating the bodies of the executives, who were trapped within the mangled wreckage of their vehicle. Police officers conducted a painstaking recovery operation, with three bodies transported in a police single-cab vehicle, while the woman’s body was placed in a metal coffin before being taken away.
Pillars of the Club: The Lives Lost
Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, the Executive Chairman, was a towering figure in Zimbabwean football and a respected businessman. A retired officer from the Zimbabwe National Army, Mhlophe was the owner of Nokel Security, a successful enterprise. He was serving his second term as Highlanders chairman and had recently indicated his intention not to seek re-election when his current three-year tenure was set to expire in January of the coming year. Mhlophe was known for his dedication to the club and his efforts to ensure its stability and success.
Fiso Siziba, the Vice-Chairman, was a dedicated public servant, holding the rank of Superintendent or Inspector in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Beyond his law enforcement career, Siziba was deeply ingrained in the football world, having been a former midfielder known for his exceptional ball control and passing skills. His dual roles exemplified his commitment to both community safety and sports development.
Nkani Khoza, the Treasurer, was a prominent entrepreneur and the proprietor of Totally Uniforms, a company specialising in school uniforms and educational supplies. His financial acumen was vital to the club’s operations, and he was instrumental in managing Highlanders’ economic affairs. Just days before the tragedy, Khoza had revealed the club’s financial state, indicating a deficit that highlighted the challenges faced by many Zimbabwean football clubs.
A Recurring Nightmare: Road Safety in Zimbabwe
This tragic accident casts a harsh spotlight on the persistent issue of road safety in Zimbabwe, particularly the dangers posed by stray livestock on major highways. The Harare-Bulawayo Highway, a critical artery connecting the country’s two largest cities, has long been notorious for such hazards. Statistics reveal that hundreds of accidents involving animals occur annually across Zimbabwe’s road network, often with fatal consequences. The government has previously expressed concern over this issue, with threats to confiscate stray livestock from roadsides in an attempt to mitigate the risks. Despite these measures, the problem persists, turning routine journeys into perilous undertakings.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident, stating, “I can confirm that a horrific accident has occurred along the Bulawayo–Harare Highway and police are attending the scene. We understand that some people are trapped in the wreckage, but we will provide further details later tonight.” Commissioner Nyathi also expressed strong disapproval of the public’s conduct at the accident scene, lamenting, “We are appalled by the behaviour of some members of the public who are distributing horrific pictures and videos from the accident scene. Instead of assisting the police and the victims, they are busy taking photographs and recording videos while spreading unverified information on social media.” He appealed to the public, including social media influencers and journalists, to desist from such irresponsible behaviour.
Echoes of Past Tragedies
The Zimbabwean football fraternity has, unfortunately, experienced similar heart-wrenching losses in the past. The most prominent of these was the tragic accident on 13 March 2004, when three players from CAPS United – Blessing Makunike, Shingirai Arlon, and Gary Mashoko – along with two supporters, perished in a car crash near Norton along the Harare-Bulawayo road. Their vehicle hit a bridge pillar and caught fire, trapping all five occupants. More recently, on 29 June 2025, FC Platinum captain Brian Jasper Banda also tragically died in a road accident. These recurring incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and greater awareness among motorists and livestock owners alike.
The loss of Mhlophe, Siziba, and Khoza leaves an immense void in the leadership of Highlanders FC and the broader Zimbabwean football landscape. Their dedication, experience, and passion for the sport were invaluable. The club now faces the daunting task of rebuilding its executive leadership while grappling with the profound grief of this unforeseen tragedy. The football community stands united in mourning, reflecting on the lives lost and the enduring impact they had on the beautiful game in Zimbabwe.