Orlando Pirates News Today: R20m fraud case clarified, Player of the Month nominees unveiled

Latest Orlando Pirates news, including the club’s statement on its High Court bid to preserve over R20 million and the shortlist for their Player of the Month award for September.

Pirates issue statement over R20m fraud case

Orlando Pirates have moved to clarify their position after news broke of an urgent High Court application aimed at preserving more than R20 million connected to the club’s former finance manager, Darryl Joselowsky, who is facing allegations of systematic fraud.

The Buccaneers are seeking to freeze four bank accounts linked to Joselowsky holding a combined balance of R20.2 million, while also asking Standard Bank for further information to help trace the funds and establish who benefited from the alleged scheme.

The application was brought jointly by Orlando Pirates Football Club, Orlando Pirates Retailing and Orlando Pirates Properties against Joselowsky and Standard Bank.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Soweto giants stressed that the legal route is a precautionary measure rather than an indication of guilt, noting that “the application is not a finding of wrongdoing.” The club added that the individual concerned is cooperating and that it remains committed to a fair process for everyone involved.

Pirates further assured supporters, partners and sponsors that day-to-day operations and commitments would continue as normal while the matter proceeds through the courts, and that no further comment would be made while the case remains before the court.

Nominees named for Player of the Month award

Pirates supporters are being given the chance to decide who shone brightest in September, with the club opening voting for its Player of the Month award.

The Buccaneers kept their unbeaten start to the season intact in September, winning all three league fixtures while advancing in the CAF Champions League courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate win over Mauritius’ La Cure Waves. The month produced 13 goals scored and just a single goal conceded across five matches, as per Sunday World.

Six players made the shortlist. New arrival Thapelo Mokobodi followed up a strong August with two assists and five chances created, while winger Kabelo Kgositsile made the most of a regular starting berth to finish with two goals and two assists.

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, the reigning Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season, kept four clean sheets in five appearances and saved 90% of the shots he faced.

Also nominated are striker Yanela Mbuthuma, who scored three goals and created three chances in five outings; centre-back Lebone Seema, who won 83% of his defensive duels while adding two goal contributions of his own; and academy graduate Simphiwe Masilela, who has rewarded the technical team’s faith with a run of consistent performances since breaking into the starting eleven.