A professional footballer is still coming to terms with the traumatic experience of having a gun pointed at him in central Gauteng this week.
The incident happened on Monday in Midrand, with Aviwe Nyamende who is a former Bloemfontein Celtic and Royal AM defender, being the player involved.
Read: PSL Soccer Star In Custody
"There is a problem here and it involves Aviwe Nyamende, who is a professional footballer and a former Bloemfontein Celtic player, and he was held at gunpoint by some random guy at Midrand in Gauteng. The incident happened on Monday this week outside a school in Midrand where he was there to fetch a child. So, while he was in the car at a parking lot along with the other parents or drivers who were there to fetch children from school, drama ensued as this random guy who was driving in a Range Rover started being aggressive during an argument over parking," said the source.
"Within no time, the argument escalated into something else as that guy went back to his car and came back with a gun in hand and pointed it at Aviwe. As Aviwe closed the car windows and locked the doors on realising that his life was at risk, the guy was so aggressive and wouldn't listen to anyone and was asking his target if he knew who he was. At that point, all that the poor guy (Nyamende) did was to look the opposite direction, closed his eyes, and waited for the shot to be fired. As traumatised as Aviwe was, he had the courage to take the car's registration number when the guy eventually decided to walk away, got inside his car and left. The bad thing is that the ordeal has left Aviwe traumatised, and he has been struggling to sleep since that day and counselling is seriously needed on him to help him to deal with the situation," he added.
"How many more soccer players must be the victims of gun-wielding forever angry people within our communities? It looks like these guys are not safe. The fact that this happens during the month where we remember the late Senzo Meyiwa and knowing that his killer has never been punished after 10 years he was gunned down, is sad. Not long ago, Luke (Fleurs), the guy who was a (Kaizer) Chiefs player, tragically lost his life under similar circumstances and the football fraternity is still coming to terms with that. Something needs to be done by the authorities," concluded the source.
Read – Pirates V Downs Race: 'Nkota, Mofokeng Co Can Win It'
Contacted for comment, a visibly distraught Nyamende only had this to say, "Yes, the incident happened, and I am still trying to come to terms with it. I don't think this is the right time to talk about it as I am still shocked and seeking advice on the way forward. I have been struggling to even sleep since that day."
Although he hasn't officially retired, the 31-year-old is currently unattached.
For all you exclusive football content and breaking news, join our WhatsApp Channel here.
By Masebe Qina
Follow him here on Facebook here on X
