Hero’s send off for Bosso fan HIGHLANDERS FC fan Thembelenkosini Hloli, 23, who was stabbed to death by alleged Dynamos supporters yesterday got a befitting send off from hundreds of football lovers and administrators who thronged the family home in Sizinda. Hloli’s body left for his rural home in Lower Gweru last night and will be buried this morning. Violence erupted soon after Highlanders lost 0-1 to DeMbare at Barbourfields Stadium and anti-riot police had to be called in as supporters of both teams engaged in running battles outside the stadium. Hloli met his death at Renkini Long Distance bus terminus after a group of alleged Dynamos supporters accused him of stoning their vehicle at Barbourfields before stabbing him twice in the abdomen. Addressing mourners before the body left for Lower Gweru, Highlanders chairman Peter Dube said football was a unifier and as such people must learn to control their emotions. “We are football people and it’s sad that we gather here today to pay our last respects to Hloli who was a devoted Highlanders supporter and passed on in a terrible and painful way coming from watching his beloved team. As football leadership, we strive to get people united through this beautiful sport. “In order to come up with an entertaining piece, we have done away with segregation based on race, gender or tribe. Let’s go to the stadia to enjoy ourselves and do away with hooliganism,” Dube said. Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda who was part of the hundreds of people who went to bid farewell to Hloli said perpetrators of violence have no place in football. “Violence doesn’t give a result but the consequence of it is death. We can’t have people who butcher each other because of football. Now we have lost Themba (Hloli) but Highlanders and Dynamos will face off in a number of matches to come. There is no point in pointing fingers at each other because to me it’s football fans that committed this murder and we should let the course of justice prevail. “Let everyone learn to accept the result whether it’s a win, draw or defeat. If you want to fight, join boxing or karate because football doesn’t have room for violent characters,” Sibanda said. Member of Parliament for Pumula Albert Mhlanga, former national soccer team manager and ex- Highlanders chairman Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda were among prominent people during Hloli’s send off. Meanwhile, Senior Minister of State, Simon Khaya Moyo contributed $500 towards Hloli’s burial which was presented to the family by Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede whose club also chipped in with $200. Kings and Queens Funeral Parlour offered transport to carry Hloli’s body and some mourners to Lower Gweru. “We are grateful to Minister Moyo, the Highlanders family and members of the community who assisted us during this sad moment. Even though we had planned to have a family function Themba chose to be with his beloved Highlanders. We are grateful to the club’s players, technical team, administrators and supporters who came to console us,” said Hloli’s aunt Sarah Tshuma.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 07:01:04 +0000
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