THE late former Warriors and CAPS United defender Charles Yohane could have been murdered by the people that had hired him, his former teammate and compatriot Edelbert Dinha revealed to the Daily News yesterday.
Speaking from South Africa, Dinha who played with Yohane at the Green Machine and the national team, said South African police had arresteda man who was caught driving the car Yohane used to ferry those who hired him on the fateful day.
Dinha added that the remains of Yohane, who was now a Uber cab driver, are expected to be repatriated to Zimbabwe once the required formalities are completed. “Charles was now working as a Uber driver. So everything is done on the phone using an application where one requests a ride and gets
picked,” Dinha said.
“So, the people who hired him are suspects at this point. So far one person has been arrested driving his car. We are still waiting for police investigations to be completed. His body was dumped and later discovered in Soweto on Monday after being shot. “It’s really sad to think that he has gone. He was a quiet person. We were very close, we were family and I am in pain.” South Africa Police Service had by last night not commented on the investigations in the murder of the former Warriors defender.
Yohane moved from Zimbabwe to South Africa in 1996 and played for top-flight side Bidvest Wits, where he became captain. He made a club record 268 appearances from 1997 to 2006. He later became coach of the Wits’ developmental side, but was released from his job when the club sold its franchise to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in 2020.
Yohane played for Zimbabwe 23 times, quickly establishing himself as his country’s first-choice left-back in 1996, when he was playing for the Green Machine. He was a member of the Warriors squad that qualified for a debut Afcon tournament in Tunisia in 2004. The talented left back was also part of the Warriors team that participated at the 2006 Afcon tournament before quitting international football the following year.
Veteran coach Lloyd Chigowe, who scouted him in Mbare, described Yohane as a rare talent. “This boy Charles Yohane, I spotted him playing for Stodart Juniors. I was at Cone Textiles Juniors then,” Chigowe told the Daily News yesterday. “He was between 10 to 11 years old and a pupil at Nharira Primary
School. A talented lot that had Daiton Chimtengo as a natural leader,
Ernest Masango, Chamu Musanhu, Hope Chihota, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Chale Svibe, Gari Mukangairwa and then blended them with Davis Chasweka,Chenge Chakumbira,Tichaona Diya, Luya Luya, Carter Muchanjakata, Philip Savanhu. “Then this quiet, withdrawn, likeable boy Yohane became a permanent feature on the left side of attack or left sided midfield. He was football streetwise with a cultured accurate left foot with a quality cross. His ferocious shot caught my eye “I cherish the natural God-given golden talent. I trusted this boy and believed in him. I was not surprised by the dizzy heights he scaled but now am at a loss to accept his sudden demise.
Was in touch with him to make junior football partnership arrangements and now they kill him like a dog. Go well soft-as-wool character, irreplaceable that’s what you are,” said Chigowe. The late 48-year-old also played for Fire Batteries in Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa where he also featured for African Wanderers,
AmaZulu, and AK FC. Yohane’s former teammate Alois Bunjira was shocked by his sudden death. “I don’t have much to say. I am still in shock. I am saddened. This is a guy who has been my friend, family, workmate, comrade, roommate for as long as I can remember,” Bunjira said. “I am suffocating. I hope his soul finds peace. Rest easy my friend.” FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza, who played with Yohane from the juniors to the senior national team, expressed shock while describing him as a “good person.”
“We played together from the juniors. We also played together for the national team. He was really a good chap. It’s very sad,” Mapeza said. Former Warriors left back Cephas Chimedza described Yohane as a mentor. “Go well Warrior, it was an honour to play alongside you. I learnt a lot from you,” Chimedza said. Former Warriors goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini was equally devastated by Yohane’s death. “This is devastating. Someone’s father, brother and friend just gone just like that. Rest in peace Charles Yohane. We hope the perpetrators will get caught and face the music,” said Kapini.
According to the family spokesperson Alois Yahane, they are working with Zimbabwean football legends based in South Africa, who include Innocent Chikoya and Dinha, to repatriate the body.