Gabuza and the law: Where he stands…

are anything to go by, although Chiefs, who, according to sources, showed interest in Hunt last year, would have to negotiate a release from his Wits contract.

Hunt is still tied to the Clever Boys until June 2022 and he is not the only coach on Amakhosi’s radar, with the Siya crew having reported that Stuart Baxter could also be poised for a return to Naturena for the 2020/21 campaign, should Middendorp exit the club.

SuperSport United striker Thamsanqa Gabuza has found himself on the wrong side of the law after he was arrested on charges of breaking lockdown regulations with reckless and negligent driving.

Gabuza, along with a few others, was arrested on Sunday morning, on the N1 in Johannesburg on Sunday morning, after clocking a speed of 213km/h in a 120km/h zone, as confirmed by chief provincial inspector Obed Sibasa, who is the spokesperson for Gauteng Traffic Police.

The striker, along with his passengers, spent the night at the Sandton police station and are currently out on R1 000 bail.

“On behalf of the Gauteng Traffic Police Community Safety, one can confirm that our high-speed unit arrested a prominent soccer player on theth N1 ini SandtonSdt on Sunday S d May 24 at about 7am.

“The player was charged with negligent and reckless driving alternative for exceeding the prescribed speed limit. He was released on R1 000 bail,” Sibasa told the Siya crew.

It has been confirmed to the Siya crew that the 32-year-old is due to appear in court in July 2020. Speaking to the Siya crew, e ex- University of Pretoria goalkeeper Tristyn Coetsee, who is a lawyer for BBM Attorneys, revealed what Gabuza’s options are from a legal perspective.

“In cases like speeding, there are quite a few technical aspects, like the type of equipment used and whether the officer who arrested him is accredited, because they have to undergo accredita ation every six months.

“The player would have to be present in court, submit representation explaining mitigating factors why he shouldn’t proceed to trial and request that the matter be diverted. He would then have to attend some driving c course, which explains the risk

of speeding and he would have to attend some kind of community service that could be done over a weekend or even midweek,” Coetsee said.

When asked if the player could face possible jail time, Coetsee revealed that it was highly unlikely in such cases, but the worst-case scenario is that the player could end up with a criminal record.

“The worst-case scenario could be that they take the matter to trial and they argue it based on facts, mitigating factors and they find him guilty. The player will then get a fine that is suspended, but he could end up with a criminal record for the rest of his life, which could only be expunged 10 years down the line.

“He probably will not face any jail time. He could get a fine up to R15 000 that is suspended for five years, but if he is caught speeding again, it could cause further problems for the player,” Coetsee concluded.