NATIONAL: A professional footballer might just have scored an own goal after it came to light he allegedly staged his own kidnapping.

The Police in Mpumalanga are now investigating a possible staged kidnapping involving the 27-year-old footballer.

According to the police, the footballer’s family reported him missing and indicated that he was kidnapped, but he returned home unharmed seven days later.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) their investigation suggests the player might have faked his own kidnapping.

“It is further alleged that the player’s family received a call from an unknown person using the player’s phone. The caller claimed that the said player had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom for his release.

“Concerned about his safety, the player’s family went to Witbank police station on Sunday, 05 July 2026, and opened a case of kidnapping for ransom. Detectives were immediately deployed to investigate and locate the alleged victim.

“Later that same afternoon, the player arrived home safely. During follow-up investigations and questioning by detectives, it came out that no ransom was paid and the kidnapping seems not to have taken place,” said SAPS.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has emphasized that community members should refrain from reporting false crimes.

“Staging a crime can never be tolerated and such behaviour comes with consequences. When false reports are made, police divert limited state resources like vehicles, personnel and time that could have been channelled to respond to genuine cases where people’s lives could be in serious danger, ” said the General.