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Ernest ‘Maphepha’ Sibanda hailed following his death

Published

4 years ago

August 11, 2021

BY BRIAN MTHETHWA

Late Highlanders player, manager, and chairman Ernest Maphepha Sibanda, who died on Tuesday, has been described as a legend by fans and football administrators.

Sibanda died at Bulawayo’s Mater Dei Hospital aged 64.

One of the top Bulawayo soccer clubs, Bulawayo, immediately requested a hero status for the charismatic football administrator.

Highlanders, one of the most followed football clubs in Zimbabwe, won four league titles in a row at the turn of the millennium when Sibanda was the manager.

His presence in the Highlanders dressing room and on the bench was one of the reasons Bosso went on to become a dominant force in the local football scene.

Jerry Sibanda, Bulawayo City chairman, wrote to Zanu PF Bulawayo province asking President Emmerson Mnangagwa to consider conferring Sibanda with a national hero status.

Sibanda was a Bulawayo City board member at the time of his death.

Bulawayo City is owned by the Bulawayo City Council.

“His football road as a player started at Leeds Under-14s where he played with guys like former Highlanders FC defence stalwart Richard Ndlovu in 1969-70,” Jerry Sibanda wrote.

“His first taste of active and serious football was at Second Division side Cone Textiles in 1976-77 and by the end of 1978, he was among top players in the division sought by big clubs like Highlanders, Meikles, Zimbabwe Saints and Olympics.

“He was convinced to join Highlanders in 1979 when Bosso deserted the South Zone Soccer League for the regional national league after clubs saw no reason to continue with the expensive Rhodesia National Football League.

He added: “Highlanders needed salvation, needed strengthening after two years in the lower division after being deserted by almost a dozen seniors.

“A few veterans had stayed on and rookies had come on board, but the regional league promised to be a tall order.”

Sibanda became part of the trailblazing Highlanders team at independence where he played alongside the likes of Mark Watson, Fanuel Ncube and Titus Majola.

He also played for Caps United before re-establishing himself as an accomplished administrator at Highlanders.

National

Zimbabwe roads claim 24 lives over Heroes holiday

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A total of 24 people lost their lives on Zimbabwe’s roads during the 2025 Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The police reported 196 road traffic accidents, 13 of which were fatal, between August 11 and 13. This represents a significant increase from the previous year’s figures, which saw 149 accidents and eight fatalities.

Reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding, and overtaking errors were cited as major causes of the accidents.

Two major accidents occurred during the period, including a fatal crash on the Mutare-Masvingo Road that claimed the lives of six Zion Christian Church congregants. Another accident on the Bindura-Shamva Road resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.

The police have urged motorists to prioritize vehicle maintenance, avoid speeding and reckless overtaking, and adhere to road rules and regulations to prevent further loss of life.

In the community

Dete teen convicted for theft

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A Dete teenager has been convicted of breaking into a local shop and stealing goods and cash worth US$131.

Artwell Ncube, 18, of Lupote in Dete, was found guilty of aggravated unlawful entry by the Hwange Magistrates Court.

According to court records, Ncube used an unknown object to open the locked shop door between May 20 and 25, 2025. Once inside, he stole groceries, airtime, and US$50 in cash.

The shop owner unexpectedly returned to the premises on May 25 at midnight and found Ncube inside. The teenager fled, leaving some stolen items behind.

A subsequent police investigation led to Ncube’s arrest. Property worth US$31 was recovered.

Ncube was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, which was fully suspended on condition that he repays ZWG3 516.04 to the complainant within six months and performs 110 hours of community service at Lupote Clinic which he started on Wednesday.

In the community

Nightclub nightmare: Nkayi woman stabs man in brutal attack

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 29-year-old Nkayi woman has escaped jail time after being convicted of assault for stabbing a man with a broken beer bottle during a violent altercation at a nightclub.

The incident occurred end of last month, at around 11 pm, when the victim, a 26-year-old man from Cowdray Park, was playing snooker with a friend.

The offender’s aunt caught the attention of the victim’s friend, provoking the offender, who struck the victim on the arm with an empty beer bottle.

The victim attempted to flee, but the offender pursued him, stabbing him once in the back with a broken beer bottle. The victim was left unconscious and rushed to Nkayi District Hospital, where he remains under medical care.

The Nkayi Magistrates’ Court sentenced the offender to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspending three months for five years on condition of good behavior.

The remaining 12 months were wholly suspended on the condition she performs 420 hours of community service.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe has urged people to resolve disputes peacefully, emphasizing that violence has no place in communities.