A case involving a Bafana Bafana striker is set to be heard on January 21, as confirmed to the Siya crew by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Tokelo Rantie, who has since parted ways with Cape Town City after he was signed by the club at the end of August, has been back home in the Free State in recent weeks, with reports indicating that the striker is facing problems and challenges in his personal life that are affecting his career negatively.
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Recent local media reports have emerged, indicating that the 28-year-old Parys-born forward has had a charge of assault allegedly opened against him with the police.
According to reports, the alleged assault charge against the former Orlando Pirates player has been opened allegedly by a woman who is believed to be close to the player.
The assault allegedly took place at the player's home in Parys in the Free State, as suggested by the reports. Speaking to the Siya crew, SAPS' Free State spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thandi Mbambo confirmed that an assault case has been opened against a well-known professional footballer, though not confirming or denying if Rantie was the accused.
Mbambo told the Siya crew that the identity of the accused cannot be revealed.
"We have not arrested anyone and therefore we cannot confirm the name of the person. The accused will appear in court on Monday (January 21), but the docket will go in on Friday (January 18)," said Mbambo.
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It has also been confirmed by the SAPS that an application for the case to be withdrawn has been made by the complainant with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) expected to assess in due course whether the case could be legally withdrawn.
Phone calls have been made to Rantie in an attempt to give him an opportunity to reply to the allegations, however, the player had been yet to return any of the Siya crew's calls or reply to the text message sent to his mobile phone at the time of publication.
