Slain Tornado FC boss Siphiwo “Mawawa” Nyobo knew people had been hired to kill him since 2017 but because he was a strong spiritual being, he left his fate to his ancestors, his family told sports minister Thokozile Xasa on Saturday.
His brother, former Makana Ward 9 councillor Mxolisi Ntshiba, told Xasa that Nyobo, 68, was killed because some in the sports and traditional fraternities were jealous of him.
Ntshiba told Xasa this at Nyobo’s NU17 home in Mdantsane as the minister visited the family to pay her respects.
“Minister, my brother said people were hired to assassinate him and he knew their names.
“Some of them were visiting witch doctors to try and kill him with muti,” Ntshiba said.
“He would say ancestors run their own programme.
“He would say no-one can kill him with muti because he knew muti better than many people but admitted that he would die through bullets.”
Nyobo was killed on March 2 outside the North End Stadium in East London.
No-one had been arrested, police spokesperson Captain Hazel Mqala said on Sunday.
Ntshiba made the startling statement in a packed prayer service attended by Xasa and Buffalo City councillors.
Among the councillors were Ward 22 councillor Vivian Sakube, mayoral committee member Xolani Witbooi and Ward 42 councillor Senduku Maphuka.
Xasa said once the perpetrators were caught, the justice system should teach them a harsh lesson.
“What happened is counterproductive and against the president’s investment plan.
“Crime scares investors off. How do you convince people to invest in Mdantsane when murders like this happen?”
South African Football Association BCM vice-president Vukile Mlanjana said he believed Nyobo’s spirit would lead Tornado to the national playoffs and take them to the first division.
Sakube and Ward 22 ANC branch chair Vusumzi Joni also called on Buffalo City to dump Chippa United and back Tornado, and reopen the Sisa Dukashe Stadium for ABC Motsepe League games.
“Tornado is a Mdantsane team, it doesn’t make sense that they play home games at North End in East London.
“Their supporters struggle to travel to East London. The stadium is a traumatic site for these players,” Joni said.
Sakube agreed, saying the support shown to Chippa should be diverted to home teams like Tornado.
BCM is paying R5.5m to Chippa to play soccer matches at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
Sakube, who is part of the council which resolved to sponsor the Chilli Boys, said: “Too much preferential treatment is given to Chippa, which is not even from here.
“We need to rethink the partnership with Chippa. Tornado is our own team.”
Xasa said she planned to call a meeting with sports bosses and councillors to discuss the call.