Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro says they are doing everything possible to help Melusi Buthelezi after a traumatic hijacking incident this week.
The 25-yead-old who joined Pirates in the off-season from TS Galaxy has enjoyed a promising start to life at the club with eight clean sheets in 13 games, amassed during an injury absence of their current number one, Sipho Chaine.
But on a personal front, he’s suffered some trauma after being hijacked for the second time in three years – the first which happened during his time with the Rockets.
It was reported, and later confirmed by Pirates to this website, that he was hijacked and held hostage, before retuning ‘unharmed’ on Monday morning.
“About Melusi Buthlezi, I think what happened to Melu, belongs to a different space than the [pre-match press conference] of the next game, so unfortunately there’s nothing from my side to comment about that,” Riveiro said.
“I think it’s a very sensible thing, the club has already announced or communicated an opinion and statement or will do it soon about the issue. But what I can tell you that he’s back, he’s okay, he’s fit.
“He’s in a safe space with us and that’s what we try to create, I’m not talking about security I’m talking about mental health so we’re trying, especially his teammates are trying to help him to be back 100% and as a coach, what I can tell you is that he’s looking good.
“He’s positive and he’s trying to turn the page, move forward, we’re here for him and trying to help him as much and as good as possible.”
Buthelezi made his debut for the senior South Africa national team last year in a 4-0 win over Sierra Leone.
