Community mourns death of soccer star

Two members of a family in Mafukani village near Matavhela in Mutale were recently killed in two accidents on the same road.

The two incidents shocked the community and some are blaming the devil  for causing the death of these two people.

On 6 April, Gogo Maemu Tshifhumulo (79) was on her way from Matavhela to Mafukani when she was knocked down by a vehicle on the Matavhela-Tshithuthuni Road. She died instantly.

On 9 August, Mr Nkhumbuleni Justice Tshifhumulo (25), the gogo’s grandson, was killed in an accident on the same road. Justice was a promising soccer player and captain of Mafukani Dangerous Soccer Sparrows at the time of his death.

Family spokesperson and uncle of the deceased Mr Thivhulawi Mbevhana said the family was devastated after the latest accident. The team’s representative, Thabelo Rakhadani, said the death of the team’s captain had left them with deep wounds that would take time to heal. “We lost a promising soccer player in the village, whose soccer skills cannot be replaced. We have organised a soccer tournament to be played next week as a way of honouring his good work,” said Rakhadani.

The police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.

·      In a separate accident, Mutale police are also investigating another case of culpable homicide, after a 38-year-old man, Mr Mavhungu Nzhalavhani of Folovhodwe village, died when he was knocked down by a vehicle on the Mulodi-Thengwe road.

News - Date: 24 August 2012

Silas Nduvheni

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