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Raymond jaravaza, [email protected]

THE passing away of Highlanders chief executive officer, Sihlangu Dlodlo (60), has left his family and neighbours in deep sorrow and mourning.

Dlodlo, who was found dead at his home in Nketa 9, Bulawayo, on Monday evening, was a respected figure in both the sports and business industries.

Dlodlo had gained vast experience as a sales and marketing executive with various prominent companies and was also known for his rare artistic talent.

Late Bosso CEO Sihlangu Dlodlo-House

The circumstances of his death remain unclear, leaving many with questions and concerns.
In light of this, Dlodlo’s family has requested privacy and patience from the public, stating that postmortem results will provide clear answers and put to rest any anxieties about the cause of his untimely passing.

“We can’t do much in terms of preparing for his burial without first getting the results of the postmortem so for now there is nothing much that I can announce to the public.
“We ask the public to bear with us as we go through this difficult time,” Dlodlo’s older brother, Mr Nkosana Griffiths Dlodlo said.

“There isn’t much that the family has done in terms of preparations for the burial of my brother as his body was taken to the mortuary yesterday (Monday) and the postmortem will be done tomorrow (today).”
He described his younger brother as a man who loved his family and was always ready to assist those in need of any form of help.

Late Bosso CEO Sihlangu Dlodlo-brother

“He was a man of honour who stood side by side with his family and was always ready to assist. He was a reliable man and the family counted on him to assist whenever he could. He loved peace and was always smiling.”
Sihlangu’s body was found by his younger brother, Sibongumusa Dlodlo, and very close friend Allan ‘‘Ripper’’ Mpofu after they had gone to look for him at his Nketa 9 home, two days after he was last seen and not answering his cellphone.
Sihlangu’s last known communication is believed to have been on Saturday evening. He had earlier during the day watched a Highlanders Royals game in the company of former Bosso chief executive officer, Nhlanhla Dube, and close friends.

When the Bosso CEO didn’t report for duty on Monday and wasn’t answering his cellphone, concerned colleagues at the Highlanders offices sent a security officer to go and look for him at home.
The security officer found the gate locked and was advised by the club chairman, Kenneth Mhlophe, to call the police.
Sibongumusa, and Mpofu also arrived at the Nketa home looking for him.

They called his cellphone, which rang unanswered in the main bedroom and a decision was made to break a window pane and peep through.
That’s when his body was found before the search party forced entry into the house.
Mpofu on Monday evening told Chronicle how he was devastated seeing the body of his close friend around 6.45pm.
One of Sihlangu’s neighbours in Nketa said the community was devastated to lose a lovable man who was very sociable with residents in his neighbourhood.

“It is with profound shock and sadness that I announce the sudden passing of Highlanders Football Club CEO Mr Sihlangu Dlodlo, whose lifeless body was discovered on Monday. I had been watching the Royals game with him on Saturday, and he was full of life and energetic as always,” Mhlophe said.

“I join the city and the nation in mourning the loss of an exceptional leader, colleague, and friend. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, and everyone affected by this sudden departure of Mr Dlodlo. Rest in Peace, QHUBE. Salute.”

Dlodlo is survived by a wife and three children who are all based overseas. Mourners are gathered at number 310 Mahatshula South.