Two Marumo Gallants officials are being held in Libya as collateral. This follows an unpaid bill of 35,000 euros. They have been locked up for 16 days at Alfakhama Hotel Suites in Benghazi, after their club Marumo Gallants played Al Akhdar in the CAF Confederation Cup. The two detainees are the South African team's manager, Rufus Matsena, and its physiotherapist, Amos Dina Dhlomo.
The two men would only be released if the club pays its debt. Their passports were confiscated. The big concern is that the owner of the South African club is currently raising an overcharge by the Libyan contractor.
To resolve this matter, the South African Department of International Relations (DIRCO) has stepped in. They issued a statement this week saying that they would intervene to help resolve the imbroglio. In that vein, South African Football Association (SAFA) chief executive Mzwandile Maforvane confirmed Thursday that a meeting had been scheduled to discuss the matter. This virtual meeting will involve Dr. Elzargha, the owner of the club Sello, SAFA and DIRCO. The purpose and goal of this meeting is to determine the way forward for the resolution of the conflict.
