(Last Updated on December 20, 2012 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – THE Minister of Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu has taken over the payment of medical expenses for Peter Ndlovu and funeral expenses for his brother, Adam.
Minister Mpofu on Tuesday visited Peter, the senior national team assistant coach, at Mater Dei Hospital where he is admitted.
The Minister, who is also the Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza also visited the Ndlovu family and conveyed his condolence message over the tragic death of the legendary former international striker “Adamski”.
Minister Mpofu, who has been meeting with the family on a regular basis, pledged to pay all medical expenses for Peter as well as funeral expenses for Adam up to the time of his burial.
Adam’s elder brother Madinda confirmed the minister’s visit and expressed gratitude for the help that the Minister extended to the family.
“I confirm that the Minister came here to visit us and that is not a secret. He also visited Peter in hospital and talked to him.
“The Minister has been very helpful to the family and we are not hiding that. What I can also say is that the Government has advised us to inform it when we need assistance,” said Madinda in a telephone interview.
Contacted for comment the minister said he was grieved by the tragic death of Adam and injury of Peter.
He described the two brothers as the nation’s finest international footballers.
“I am very saddened by this tragic occurrence. These young men come from my province, Matabeleland North. As a province we are sending our heartfelt condolences to the Ndlovu family in this time of need.
“Adam was a promising young man who did so much to promote football in this country,” he said.
“Adamski” (42) was killed in a car accident on Sunday morning while Peter was injured in the same accident when the BMW X5 they were travelling in crashed at the 417km peg near Lupinyu Business Centre near Victoria Falls International Airport.
When the news of Adam’s death filtered through, the whole nation was plunged into mourning with people from all walks of life describing him as a distinguished marksman who acquitted himself well on the football pitch.
There were increased calls for him to be accorded a hero status in honour of his good work.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe ExPolitical Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association (ZPPDRA) yesterday added its voice and called for the conferment of national hero status on “Adamski”.
“Indeed, Zimbabwe has been untimely robbed of the talented and patriotic young star whose indelible contribution to soccer resonates not only nationally but also internationally.
“It is our sincere hope therefore that the ZanuPF Politburo would confer on him the status he undoubtedly deserves, the national hero status for gallantly flying Zimbabwe’s flag in the arena of international soccer,” said ZPPDRA secretarygeneral Cde Douglas Ndlovu in a statement.
The Ndlovu brothers were on their way to the resort town to take part in a friendly soccer match pitting Highlanders Legends and the Victoria Falls Soccer League Select Team. Peter was rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital and later transferred to the Catholicrun Mater Dei Hospital where is admitted.
Many will remember Adam’s dazzling performance against Tunisia in 1991 at Barbourfields Stadium where with younger brother Peter on form, they tore apart the North Africans 52.
He scored too many an important goal for club and country and his spell at Swiss club FC Zurich earned him a Switzerland Player of the Year accolade and Swiss FA Cup glory.
He was among the first Zimbabweans after former Warriors teammate and Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to play in the European Winners Cup now the Europa League Cup.