×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Stars to benefit from payout

Richard Henyekane of Sundowns shoots at goal during the Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on March 05, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa. Picture credits: Gallo Images
Richard Henyekane of Sundowns shoots at goal during the Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on March 05, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa. Picture credits: Gallo Images

The insurance policy paid out on the death of former Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa also applies to Premier Soccer League players Cecil Lolo and Richard Henyekane, who both died in car accidents this year, league chairman Irvin Khoza said yesterday.

Khoza said the policy will pay out to the former clubs of the two players to be administered - by Ajax Cape Town in the case of Lolo, and Free State Stars for Henyekane - once formalities have been concluded.

"The money for Lolo will be paid to the club [Ajax], and the club administers it. "The same policy applies to Henyekane, which is still going through the processes. The insurance company must first investigate the circumstances of the accident."

Khoza said the Meyiwa policy payout took just over a year because of the ongoing police investigation into the shooting of the goalkeeper in Vosloorus in October 2014.

"Senzo's payout was delayed because there are certain kinds of exclusions. So it had to be investigated that these did not apply. The insurance company have satisfied themselves on that. They had to get statements from the police," Khoza said.

Khoza, also chairman of Pirates, said he has contacted Meyiwa's father, Sam Meyiwa, who expressed his anger this week that he had found out in the media about the insurance payout.

"We have contacted the family. And I did indicate to the father that, 'You have jumped the gun'. Because when I was talking, I was doing so as chairman of the league, in a press conference [on Tuesday]," Khoza said.

"And I was informed that morning. So it was topical because I had to inform the members. At that time it [the information] had not gone to Pirates - it only went to Pirates yesterday [on Wednesday].

"The family also appointed Senzo's relative, Siyabonga Meyiwa, and not the father to deal with us as a point of contact."