Muthi coach says sorry

‘ I thought ritual was common practice’

THE soccer coach arrested for conducting a muthi ritual on about 30 youngsters in Pretoria has apologised to the community.

Siphiwe Hlatshwayo has told Sowetan that she thought it was common practice among amateur football clubs because she had gone through a similar practice when she was a little girl.

The coach allegedly cut incisions into the stomachs and shoulders of the Under-13s and Under-11s at Nellmapius Football Club.

Hlatshwayo then allegedly administered an ashlike black concoction to the incisions before their friendly games against Sundowns FC and Everton FC in Mamelodi West.

She also allegedly used one razor blade to cut all 30 children, and that angered parents and the local community, who gathered at her home last Monday morning to demand an explanation.

“I did it without the permission of the parents,” Hlatshwayo said.

“I admit it was wrong, because I did not know I needed their permission … I did it because I wanted to strengthen and protect them against our opponents,” Hlatshwayo explained.

“I know this because they used to do it to us during the time I played amateur soccer for a local club as a little girl. Permission was not sought from our parents.

“I explained everything and apologised to the community and the parents in the presence of police on Monday evening outside my place. “I accepted the blame and sincerely apologised and that was accepted before they dispersed.”

The mother of two said, to her surprise, she woke up on Tuesday morning only to be confronted by three women.

“One of them pushed me into the house and I landed on the floor. She then grabbed the keys from the door (and) locked the burglar bars,” Hlatshwayo said.

“They then returned with police officers who decided that we (should) go to the Silverton

‘ I did not know I needed their permission’

police station where a case was opened against me.”

She has denied having used the same blade to cut all 30 children. “I had bought a pack of 10 razor blades and I used them all,” Hlatshwayo said.

“I now know that could be unhygienic, but I did not use one blade.” She was released from police custody on Tuesday afternoon.”

Meanwhile, Hlatshwayo has said that some of the parents and most of the club’s 50 players had already pleaded with her to return to the club.

“On Wednesday morning a group of the players came to my place to invite me,” Hlatshwayo said.

“I was not yet in a position to do so. But, because I love them as my own children, I decided to give them the kit – including soccer balls – to go and play,” she said.

“I love this club. I want to remove the children from the streets. I want to see them going places in future, but after that incident, I do not know how and where to start.”