PSL coach denies any wrongdoing after spending weeks in jail
"I did not kidnap anyone or beat anyone."
Suspended PSL coach Lucky Nelukau has opened up about his arrest for the first time following new developments regarding his case.
Lucky Nelukau was arrested on Friday, 20 January, after being accused of physically assaulting and kidnapping thugs who stole at his house in Tshakhuma, Limpopo.
His club Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila [TTM], took a decision to suspend him until the courts finalised the matter.
The coach has missed several Motsepe Foundation Championship matches, including against JDR, AmaTuks, Venda Football Academy, Platinum City Rovers, Casric Stars and Cape Town Spurs. Nelukau remains suspended by TTM.
After spending eight days in prison, Nelukau was granted bail. He is due to appear in court on 3 March, 2023.
NELUKAU DENIES ANY WRONGDOING
In an interview with FARPost from his home, an emotional Nelukau was relieved that those who had opened a case against him have now been arrested for stealing his goods. But one of the offenders is still on the run.
Some of the coach’s goods have since been returned to him by the Levubu police.
Nelukau says he is eager to return to doing what he loves, but also expressed his disappointment in how TTM dealt with the matter.
“I did not kidnap anyone or beat anyone. I just hired a security company to look after my house because those people had been stealing from me every time I was away with the club,” he explained.
The arrested suspects are believed to have already dropped the case against Nelukau since they were caught.
ON SPENDING EIGHT NIGHTS IN JAIL
“It was terrible. Remember I am not used to these prison things. When people see me wearing the soilder regalia they think I am a mafia and it’s not like that. I was just honoring my late brother. To be in prison was hectic.
“These people used to watch me on TV because I am a public figure, and even prison warders were asking what was wrong. They all felt sorry for me, but I don’t want to go there again. I am also sorry to my supporters for this misunderstanding; I never did anything wrong.”
ON INTENTIONS TO RETURN TO PSL ACTION WITH TTM OR ANY OTHER CLUB
Nelukau maintains he expected TTM to handle the issue a bit better since has also been with the team through some difficult times.
“I will bounce back. As you know I am suspended for nothing. You know I have been with TTM during the good and bad days,” he stated.
“I repeat; I have been with them through the good days and worse days. But when it comes to this situation, I was expecting them to be there for me but I am a big boy and I am looking forward to returning to work again.
“As for now, I am still suspended. I don’t know why because I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Nelukau is one of the officials who have been left behind in Limpopo since the club’s relocation to Mangaung.
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