Police say they are investigating a suspected staged kidnapping involving a 27-year-old professional soccer player from Witbank, Mpumalanga.
Provincial police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says the player’s family reported him missing on Sunday.
The family also alleged that it received a call from suspected kidnappers demanding a ransom.
Masondo says the player returned home unharmed seven days later, adding that investigations suggest he may have staged his own kidnapping.
“Police investigations suggest that the player might have faked his own kidnapping. It is further alleged that the player’s family received a call from an unknown caller using the player’s phone. The caller claimed that the said player had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom for his release. Concerned about his safety the player’s family went to Witbank police station on Sunday, then opened a case of kidnapping for ransom. The police immediately deployed detectives as well as resources to investigate and locate the alleged victim. Later that afternoon, the player arrived home safely.”
#sapsMP [POLICE INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE STAGED KIDNAPPING INVOLVING A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER] #SAPS in Mpumalanga investigates a possible staged #kidnapping, involving a 27yr-old professional soccer player.
The news of the soccer player’s disappearance was brought to the… pic.twitter.com/ifAwqAAweM
— SA Police Service
(@SAPoliceService) July 8, 2026
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