Marumo Gallants chairman Abram Sello has broken his silence on the shocking alleged fake kidnapping incident involving midfielder Thapelo Dhludhlu, revealing that the club has placed the player on suspension while taking a strict, “parental” approach to his rehabilitation.
Last month, the 27-year-old midfielder was reported missing after leaving his home to shop in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the family filed a report after losing contact with the midfielder. They subsequently received a phone call from an unidentified individual using Dhludhlu’s mobile phone, demanding a R50,000 ransom.
However, the situation took a turn when Dhludhlu returned home unharmed later that same Sunday afternoon.
Following his return, the South African Police Service [SAPS] released a statement stating that the midfielder might have faked the entire ordeal. Cops now strongly suspect the whole thing was a staged stunt, with subsequent findings emerging that the player was facing mounting financial troubles and owed money to several people.
ABRAM SELLO ADDRESSES THE ALLEGED FAKE KIDNAPPING STORY AFFECTING HIS PLAYER THAPELO DHLUDHLU
The incident was also condemned by SA Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who applauded the Police for uncovering new information. McKenzie also called for swift action for the player.
As it stands, Dhludhlu is currently suspended by the Betway Premiership club to allow the police to conclude their investigations.
While addressing the media during the launch of the Mafori Cup at the Ranch Resort in Polokwane on Tuesday, Sello confirmed that the club is helping the player through a rehabilitation process.
“Yes, it is [a lesson] because now if you don’t do anything about it, the others will follow into the same trap,” Sello told journalists in Polokwane. “We have to be very strict, like a parent, to work on this child, and we are in an internal rehabilitation system with him. We have suspended him so that we can give the police a chance to investigate.
“Now it’s internal where we sit down with him and make sure that we monitor him daily,” added Sello.
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Sello emphasised that the club views the situation not just as a disciplinary matter, but as an opportunity to guide the midfielder back onto the right path. He compared the club’s strict stance to that of a concerned parent trying to correct a child.
“So far he is coming along very well. Yesterday [Monday], I spoke to his mother. We understand, we can’t do it alone, we need the parents, the nation and the law enforcement. We also have to be careful in terms of the peer grouping, in terms of how our players live. The type of friends that they chose, that is very much important,” Sello declared.
“But I think he is aware that we are on it now, and we will tell you the results as they come. I can’t say much now, but he is very cooperative as well, and I believe in him. It’s someone that we know very well, and it’s just an error of activity that has happened along the way, but he will be fine.”
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