Public Outcry For Marumo Gallants' Duo In Libya
While talks about freeing the two Marumo Gallants employees who are held hostage in a hotel in Libya are ongoing, there have been growing concerns back home on the duration of time that the duo has spent without being able to see their families and loved ones.
The Background
Gallants' media liaison officer Rufus Matsena and physiotherapist Amos Dina Dhlomo have been stuck in Libya since March 19.
The two have been there for the Limpopo team's CAF Confederation Cup match which they lost 4-1 against Libyan side Al Akhdar SC.
When the team returned to Mzansi after the fixture, the two remained as collateral due to a huge debt incurred by the PSL side during the disorganised trip.
Having travelled from Johannesburg to Libya via Turkey, Gallants had not booked tickets for connecting flights, which resulted in the team experiencing financial difficulties in the middle of the journey.
Dr Ali Elzargha, a businessman and hotel owner who is based in Libya, came to the club's rescue. At that point, Gallants had also lost their playing kit after the club's luggage went missing.
Elzargha has confirmed in the media that he paid for the team's tickets, playing kit, transport and other expenses, while he also accommodated Gallants' players and staff in one of his hotels during their stay in Benghazi.
The hotel owner has claimed that he is owed around $37 000 (+/-R661 661) by the bottom-placed DStv Premiership side.
Gallants' chairman Abram Sello has appeared to have had difficulties in raising the money needed to free the two club employees to return home.
Experienced football administrator Gordon Masondo has expressed his disappointment in the way the situation has been handled.
The Good
The Two Officials Maintain They Are Safe
"Our league is a very good league and a very competitive league and it's so disappointing to hear stories like what has happened to the two guys from Marumo Gallants. This is one of the best leagues in Africa. I am just happy that I spoke to Dina Dhlomo this morning and he confirmed that they are safe. As football people we meet and end up forming close relationships and that's how I got to know Dina and he has always showed me respect over the years. Both him and Rufus do not deserve what they have been put through!" Masondo weighed in.
The Bad
"This whole thing has painted a very bad picture about our football in South Africa. We mustn't forget that this is a team that is playing in a very structured and respected league in the form of the PSL. These two gentlemen have nothing to do with all the arrangements that were made by the people involved in the deal. But the club is dragging the PSL into this because of their poor planning in terms of travelling. I can tell you now that what happened to the two guys has pained a lot of people but unfortunately most of them do not have the platform to voice out their concerns," he added.
The Ugly
"What the owner of Marumo is doing is uncalled for. As a club, before jetting out of the country or preparing for an away game against whoever, you make sure that all the travelling arrangements are done properly. You don't say you will take a flight from Mzansi and plan to connect somewhere in another country subject to booking tickets while already there. Why didn't the club book all the airline tickets to their destination while they were still here? Why were they still booking tickets when already in Turkey and trying to connect to Libya? When you are there, you are in the middle of nowhere. Obviously, anyone can try to make money out of you by charging ridiculous prices. In that situation you will have no choice but to pay exorbitant amounts because of desperation to go and honour the game. But what is worse is him (Sello) nominating people to stay behind for a product that doesn't belong to them. I would have stayed behind myself if it was my team and not let anyone else do it on my behalf while I am sitting at home. I would have stayed to arrange whatever that needed to be arranged while I was there. This is unheard of and this is uncalled for. As people we sometimes forget that there are times we need to strip ourselves of our positions and just be human beings. We might take this lightly to say that arrangements are being made and that the guys are safe and will be back home at some point but nothing is guaranteed at this stage. It is even crazy to see these guys happy and celebrating at the stadium (referring to Gallants celebrating 3-1 victory against Royal AM on Wednesday), while there are two of their own in that situation in a foreign country. If it was me, I wouldn't even have gone to the stadium and people wouldn't be able to see my face. Instead, I would have gone back to Libya to tell that hotel owner to free the guys and keep me instead in their place," an emotional Masondo added.
Professional Counselling Recommended
"I can tell you now that it's going to be difficult for those two guys to continue immediately with their jobs when they finally return to the country. Psychologically, they are not fine. What about their families? They cannot be in good space. (Sighs heavily) This thing is something else and a very sad story," he lashed out.
The Spirit Of Ubuntu Should Prevail
"If I had the money, I would pay for Rufus and Dina to return home. I am hoping that whoever that can help should please do so. This has nothing to do with the PSL and that's why I say that whoever that can help can please do so. But for the fact that Marumo is participating in this league, it wouldn't be a bad thing is the PSL decides to assist just for the image of the brand to be protected although it would mean that the club owner would have to face the music," concluded Masondo.
