The Citizen reports that in the past year, four Premier Soccer League (PSL) players have been victims of car hijacking and robbery and the SA Football Players Union (Safpu) is concerned that its members may be targeted because they are believed to be earning good money.

Safpu president Thulakganyo Gaoshubelwe said in an interview that they had noted with concern the recent incidents. He indicated: “It is worrying and we have noted them. But we know that crime is a serious problem in the country that needs to be taken seriously. We worry when ordinary South Africans become victims of crimes and it is even worse for us when it happens to our players. It is worrying because their lives are in the public eye and they are seen as people who are well off and could be targeted because of that.” Former Kaizer Chiefs and now Sekhukhune United midfielder Willard Katsande is one of the PSL players who have been victims of crime in recent months – and it has happened twice. The first incident was a road rage related incident where his car was damaged in a fight with another road user. Katsande suffered some cuts and bruises in the incident. In the second incident he was hijacked around the Southgate area where he was meeting clients. Shortly after that, another PSL player, Melusi Buthelezi of TS Galaxy also became a victim of a hijacking. His incident happened in Soweto in February. After that it was Orlando Pirates’ Vincent Pule who was hijacked in Riverlea. And just a few weeks ago, former Chiefs defender Sibusiso Mabilso was also hijacked. “We have already started campaigns to alert our players that they should be vigilant at all times and be aware of their surroundings,” said Thulakganyo.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibongiseni Gumbi at The Citizen (subscriber access only)

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