Pay-up call backfires on soccer star!

Pay-up call backfires on soccer star as Marumo Gallants midfielder Thapelo Dhludhlu faces an immediate suspension while police investigate an alleged fake kidnapping. The club confirmed the action on Friday, 10 July, saying it wants the South African Police Service (SAPS) to handle the matter “without any interference” and will not provide further comments. In the incident that began on Sunday, 5 July 2026, Dhludhlu’s family reported him missing at a police station, claiming he had been snatched. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the family allegedly received a call from an unknown person demanding a R50,000 ransom. The player later returned home the same Sunday afternoon, prompting investigators to suspect the episode was staged.