Highlanders Football Club’s chief executive officer, Sihlangu Dlodlo, has passed away under mysterious circumstances. His death has left colleagues and fans in deep shock.
Witnesses last saw Dlodlo, 60, heading home on Saturday night. Authorities discovered his body on Monday evening at his residence in Nketa after he failed to respond to calls.
On October 16, Dlodlo made a haunting Facebook post that seemingly foretold his passing. In a statement written in Ndebele, “One nice way of ending drama and nonsense at funerals is to just die alone in the house . . . just rot for a week or so and neighbours witness green flies by the window and not know how to contact your relatives and police collect your body in a metal coffin and open truck and hopefully, take you to Kings and Queens (funeral parlour). That way, there will be no bodyviewing and you are taken straight to Luveve Cemetery. By the way, don’t bring flowers sweethearts.”
In his last post before his body was discovered, Dlodlo said: “Verily, verily I say unto you, God does not get drunk.”
A close relative revealed that Highlanders officials, worried about Dlodlo’s absence, found his gate locked. “We forced our way in and called the police,” the relative said. Authorities later confirmed they discovered his body and sent it to United Bulawayo Hospital for a post-mortem.
Dlodlo’s brother, Nkosana Griffiths, expressed grief as the family awaits answers. Club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe mourned the loss of a remarkable leader and extended condolences to Dlodlo’s family.
Zifa and the Premier Soccer League also conveyed their condolences, noting that Dlodlo’s loss creates an irreplaceable void in the football community. “We will always cherish his contributions to Zimbabwean football,” the PSL stated.
Community gatherings are now taking place at House Number 310 Mahatshula South, following a shift in the funeral wake from Nketa 9.
-NewsDay
