Orlando Pirates footballer Melusi Buthelezi was the victim of a terrifying incident on Thursday evening when he was hijacked and kidnapped on the East Rand. However, there is some relief as he has since returned home “safe and unharmed,” according to the police.
The incident occurred at around 8.40pm in Tokoza. Buthelezi and his friends were sitting on the street when three unknown men approached them, as confirmed by police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.
The suspects robbed all the victims of their cellphones and forcefully took one of them, driving off with his vehicle.
Thankfully, Buthelezi has since returned home unharmed on Friday morning. The police have opened a case of hijacking and kidnapping for investigation, but no arrests have been made at this time.
This is not the first time that the 26-year-old goalkeeper has been affected by crime. In 2022, Buthelezi was stabbed during a car hijacking in Soweto.
The incident occurred at a filling station while he and his brother were returning from visiting their ailing mother. Unfortunately, his brother was also stabbed during the attack.
Pirates spokesperson Thandi Merafe has asked for Buthelezi to be given space to recover from this traumatic ordeal. The club and his fans will undoubtedly offer their support and well wishes during this difficult time.
