Footballer electrocuted at work

Fungai Muderere 

BUT why?

This is definitely a question that has of late been boggling the minds of Mzilikazi FC players, coaches, administrators and the community alike following the untimely passing on of their captain Zinzile Khumalo.

The nimble footed late Khumalo, was recently electrocuted and died on the spot while on duty. 

He was aged  24 and employed by a local power company.

The now deceased, who was better known as Mazie, was buried at Bulawayo’s Umvutshwa Cemetery last Sunday.

Mzilikazi FC director Jacob Magutshwa said they had lost a very talented player in a very painful way.

“It’s unfortunate to lose such a talented player in such a way. When the incident happened, I was at my rural home but I was informed that he was electrocuted while he was on duty and he died on the spot. He was our very fine captain who joined the club at a very tender age. He stayed in Makokoba,” said a saddened Magutshwa on the other side of the phone.

Mzilikazi FC was formed in 2011 and did well to progress to the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Division Two League only to get the sole ticket to the next league which they however could not utilise due to lack of adequate funds.

“Mazie was our longest serving player and at the end of last season he got an accolade for that in a season where we did well in the Division Two League to earn promotion. As such we are really saddened. Unfortunately, this year we didn’t manage to get sponsorship to participate in the Division One hence the likes of Mazie were now concentrating on their full time jobs. Our other players were loaned to other clubs,” said Magutshwa.Club administrator Mayfield Daka described the late Mazie as a unique and rare individual.

Club administrator Mayfield Daka described their late skipper as a unique person who had great football brains .

“ Mazie was different from other boys from that community, he was the longest serving player and captain at Mzilikazi FC that won the championship. He was hardworking and he never missed training,” said Daka.

The promising footballer previously turned out for another Mzilikazi based side, Sabona Mzilikazi, an outfit where the late ex Highlanders and Warriors midfield genius Richard Choruma was one of the directors.