Two cricket coaches were murdered while two others suffered critical injuries after an attack at the Laudium Oval stadium, which is close to Pretoria. Given Nkosi, 24, and Charlson Maseko, 26, were identified as the deceased, whose bodies were discovered at the clubhouse at the stadium on Thursday (September 14). KFC Mini-Cricket Co-Ordinator Kagiso Masubelele, 27, and Laudium Hub Head Coach and Co-ordinator Obed Harvey Agbomadzie, 27, who were injured, were taken to the hospital for treatment.
While the motive behind the attacks is yet to be ascertained, a South African Police Service statement said: “A murder scene was discovered by a community member at the Main Cricket Stadium, 19th Ave Laudium. The person who made the discovery, usually play (sic) cricket with the victims in the mornings. The bodies of two men were found in the men’s bathroom and two other victims were found alive, but severely assaulted in one of the rooms. Security guards were informed who contacted the police at 7:00 this morning. The four victims stay at the stadium sharing 2 rooms. The motive of the murder and assault at this (sic) it’s unknown.”
Reacting to the gruesome incident, Cricket South Africa expressed shock and sadness. “This has come as a huge shock to the entire Cricket South Africa Family. These are all dedicated cricket administrators and coaches who have been making a huge difference to the communities in which they operate, providing an important source of upliftment and hope, particularly to our youth. Indeed, what they have been doing goes far beyond the game of cricket,” CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.
“On behalf of the CSA Family I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives, and we pray that those who are injured will make a quick and complete recovery,” Lorgat added.
Northerns Cricket Union Chief Executive Jacques Faul said: “This is devastating news for the Northerns cricket community. They have been a highly valued and integral part of our talent pipeline development programme, particularly in the Laudium community. On behalf of the Northerns cricket family I extend our deepest sympathy, prayers and support to the family, friends and colleagues of all involved.”
