While Safa Cape Town is still awaiting a statement regarding the “lucky escape with their lives” from Greenwood Athletics’ senior Ladies team after their Safa CT’s Womens Regional Promotional League fixture against Yellow Nations Ladies at the Browns Farm Sportsfield on Saturday afternoon, the club’s chairman Noel Isaacs has voiced his relief and concern.
Isaacs has highlighted their concern in a letter to the region explaining how their driver, who doubles up as a coach, Warren Lotters, had to outsmart their kidnappers to live to tell the tale.
Isaacs shared some content revealed by Lotters with No Bones with Jones: “We stopped at one of the stop streets and there was a van/taxi in front of us,” Lotter explained in his statement. Suddenly three guys stepped out (of the van) and approached our van attempting to take the keys from the ignition.
“With the struggle they hit me in the process. With me were six female players, my wife, daughter and four other players – two of whom are 13 and 15 respectively. As they were forcing to take the keys, we all tried to fend for ourselves, you know. I had to be calm as I was responsible but it was very difficult as we were all in shock.
“The other two cars transporting more players did initially not know what was happening as my vehicle was blocked in between two taxis. The taxi behind me then moved and the driver of one of our vehicles saw what was happening and he could come closer to assist. They took my phone and tried to take my wife’s phone but she grabbed it back,” read Lotter’s statement.
Meanwhile, Isaacs responded to our website: “Yes, it is very tragic. Everything at the playing venue went well . . . Our club played there a few times before. But this took place outside the venue – in the community. This incident left our young female players and coaching staff extremely traumatised and shaken.
“We are in the process of organising trauma counselling for the players. Safa CT should look at the safety issue around this venue as it is obviously persons from the community who were the perpetrators.
“The reality is, that they tried to kidnap one of the girls from the car. It could have been much worse and they are lucky to escape with their lives”.
Isaacs’ colleague Raymond Brickles who is also the Head of Yount and convenor of women’s football, said that the last thing they want is for their opponents to be bearing the brunt of this incident.
“People would now probably want games to not be played there anymore but the reality is that it will hamper their development,” Brickles pointed out. “From our side we are not expecting for games to be taken away but just a higher security alert when we have games there may be ushered in and out, you know.
“But there needs to be some solution so as not to deprive those girls of something beyond their control. At the same time more should be done to ensure the safety of the visiting team,” said Brickles.
Safa Cape Town’s Head of Competitions Bayanda Sikiti responded to our website regarding the issue. “Their (Greater Phillipi) LFA is preparing a statement regarding that,” Sikiti concluded.
