Muti men caught red handed

ATTEMPTS to influence the match between Orlando Pirates and Thanda was scuppered when two men, carrying a bag believed to be muti, were apprehended at the stadium.

Thanda officials were outraged when the two men, allegedly acting on behalf of Orlando Pirates, were caught attempting to plant muti at the uMhlthuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay last night.

Sihle Mtshali (PRO) for Thanda Royal Zulu confirmed the men were caught red-handed by himself and other security guards when they tried to gain access to the stadium at 7.30 pm.

Mtshali said the men tried to bribe day shift security guards at the stadium earlier in the day. Nomusa Mthembu and her sister Sibongile Mthembu were offered R500 each to allow the men into the stadium.

Being honest employees and proud supporters of the Amabhubesi, they refused to take the bribe. The men then told the women they will return at night.

In an attempt to stop them, Nomusa alerted Mtshali of the incident who then gathered some of his friends and other security guards to catch them.

Mtshali and his friends, Thabani Mjadu and Thembinkosi Sibiya, waited in the stadium while two undercover female guards kept watch from outside.

Mary Jane Mnkwanazi, who was one of the undercover female security guards, saw a BMW and a Mercedes Benz drive towards the stadium.

‘When I saw the cars I called Sihle and told him to contact the police’

‘The BMW dropped off a man at the entrance and drove off but the Mercedes parked near the entrance’

‘The police arrived within minutes. The men dropped the bag of muti and tried to flee into the stadium but were caught by the police, Sihle and friends,’ said Mnkwanazi.

It is believed the practice of using muti, consulting with traditional healers and calling on the ancestors is a common one in Africa.

Its purpose is to either weaken the opposition or to strengthen one’s own team.

Both men were arrested and charged for trespassing by Constable Mhlongo and Constable Nhaposse. They were detained at the Richards Bay Police Station.

Despite the drama, the match between Thanda Royal Zulu and Orlando Pirates will continue as scheduled for Saturday at 2.30 pm.