Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates defence midfielder, Thandani "Bibo" Ntshumayelo appeared at the Randburg Magistrates Court after being charged with common assault under the Domestic Violence Act. The retired soccer star was arrested on Saturday after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend.
THE ASSAULT
It's alleged that the troubled footballer was at home with his girlfriend Itumeleng Alice and his friends on Friday when a fight between him and one of his friends ensued. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the complainant then tried to intervene in an attempt to calm down the accused. "Ntshumayelo then allegedly became aggressive towards her, by slapping her across the face, grabbed her by her head and hit it against the wall. She further alleges that he then pushed her to the ground," Mjononwane said. The retired player was granted R1 000 bail. He is not the first player associated to have been arrested and charged with domestic violence. Just last year, Thembinkosi Lorch was convicted for assaulting his former girlfriend. The convicted Bafana and now Sundowns midfielder, was suspended for three games at Pirates for his misdemeanour.
HE IS A SOCCER BAD BOY
Ntshumayelo, who retired from playing professional football in June last year, had his career turned upside down in 2015 when he was found with traces of cocaine in his blood. He was banned from both professional and amateur football in 2016 after testing positive for cocaine. However, he made a return in 2018 after appealing his sentence but struggled to cement a regular place at Baroka FC and Moroka Swallows. A product of SuperSport United's youth academy, Bibo joined the first team in 2009, where he made his professional debut, before joining Pirates in his biggest move in 2012. Ntshumayelo, who turns 34 in April, has had his fair share of love problems. In 2015, he was allegedly two-timed by his then girlfriend, Pulane Lenkoe. Lenkoe allegedly cheated on him with a Joburg businessman, security company tycoon Victor Sidambe, who was apparently financing her lavish lifestyle. Ntshumayelo and Lenkoe's relationship became public when a nude image of her was leaked and went viral on social media. The case was postponed to 4 April for further police investigations.
