Pirates captain accused of assault

Orlando Pirates captain Thabo Matlaba is accused of hitting and kicking a woman at a tavern in Tembisa.


It is alleged that Matlaba broke Naledi Shuping’s ribs last year in November and she opened a case against the footballer but the case was struck off the roll.

Rabie Ridge police spokesman Captain Mofana Masela confirmed to the Sunday World that the defender was arrested and appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on  November 27 last year.

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“We can confirm that a woman by the name of Naledi Shuping opened a case of assault GBH against Thabo Matlaba,” said Masela.

“He was arrested on November 26 and charged with assault-GBH. He appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on November 27 and the case was struck off the roll.”

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Matlaba’s lawyer Vusi Mahlangu of SV Mahlangu Attorneys confirmed that his client was at the tavern on the day of the incident.

“I can confirm that Matlaba was with friends in November and there was an altercation but as to what happened, I really don’t know and therefore it would be difficult for me to comment,” said Mahlangu.

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