Fake 'soccer coach' arrested after allegedly luring, raping young boy with soccer dream

by

A young Pinetown boy with dreams of playing professional soccer had his hopes dashed when a fake coach who promised him stardom allegedly raped him instead, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

The 25-year-old man allegedly promised the boy and his family he would play for South Africa's coveted Premier Soccer League (PSL) junior teams if properly trained, police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said on Friday.

"The soccer coach went to the young boy's home where he produced forms to the family to fill in, which basically stated that their son was going to join a soccer academy."

ALSO READ | Bathabile Dlamini calls for 'chemical castration' of rapists

Mbele said the family gave consent, thinking their young son would realise his dream of playing soccer in a professional environment.

"The dream was quickly shattered when the young soccer enthusiast was allegedly raped by the same man who had recruited him.

"The young boy alleged that while at Kloof, the coach gave him a concoction to drink, which left him drugged. It was during this time that the coach took advantage of him."

Mbele said a case was opened with initial investigations revealing it was not the suspect's first alleged sexual crime.