No arrests yet in SAFA Tshwane President shooting

Police have issued a plea to the public to assist them in apprehending thugs that attacked SAFA Tshwane President and fired several shots at him at Lotus Gardens near Pretoria last week.

According to Siya sources, the SAFA Tshwane president Solly Mohlabeng, who is also among the candidates challenging SAFA President Danny Jordaan for the hotseat, was accosted by gunmen when he alighted from his car to open the gate around 21h00.

The Siya crew has been informed that the would-be assassins opened fire without warning, but they miraculously missed their target, who fled the scene, jumped over walls and fences, with his assailants in hot pursuit.

The thugs then returned to his house and drove off in his employer’s vehicle - the National Prosecuting Authority - which contained several personal belongings that included his wallet, mobile phone and laptop.

“It is time for change and we need to make sure that change happens now,” Mohlabeng said when he launched his presidential campaign at the Sammy Marks Square in the Tshwane CBD during February.

“We aim to bring the kind of change that will ensure that football is respected; its governance is equally respected in order to instill confidence in sponsors who must come back and partner with football,” he added.

Mohlabeng is one of three candidates - the others being

Ria Ledwaba and Chippa Mpengesi - that have raised their hands, indicating they wanted to challenge Jordaan in the next SAFA presidential elections, the date of which would be decided at the SAFA congress on March 26.

Captain Mavela Masondo, the Gauteng SAPS spokesman, confirmed to the crew that a case of hijacking has been opened and police are investigating. He added that no arrest has been made and the hijacked vehicle has not yet been recovered.

“We appeal to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation or assist to apprehend the suspects to please call the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 0860010111,” added Masondo.

It is not yet clear at this stage if the incident was criminally motivated or it has something to do with Mohlabeng’s decision to challenge for the SAFA hotseat, according to Siya sources.