Former Orlando Pirates forward Thulasizwe Mbuyane, known as ‘Juju,’ to his teammates, has opened up about one of football’s hidden pitfalls.
Mbuyane speaks about credit deals pushed by resolute bank salesmen that turned into financial nightmares for many top players.
Speaking on Jabu Mahlangu’s Diski and Shandis YouTube podcast, the former Bafana Bafana striker reflected on how, during his playing days, certain salesmen made it easy for players to drive out with brand-new cars and credit cards.
FORMER ORLANDO PIRATES STAR THULASIZWE MBUYANE RECALLS CREDIT TRAPS
According to Mbuyane, some of his memories include offers of credit cards worth R50,000 with an overdraft of R500,000.
His host, Mahlangu, noted that they targeted players at clubs like Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and SuperSport United, with an infamous Standard Bank guy always found in and around the clubs.
THE VW TOUREG
“He would send you to Steven at VW,” Mbuyane said. “They gave me a new VW Touareg. It was on a Friday. He told me to leave with the car, we would sort out the paperwork on Monday.
That weekend, Mbuyane said he drove to Durban with his lady in his new wheels. But the joy didn’t last long.
“I went to see him after training on Monday,” the former Pirates star continued. “I told him I truly enjoyed the car, it drove so beautifully. I asked what’s the story? He said, ‘R13 000.’
“I was so shocked. I could not believe it. I was just paying R5 700 for my VW Golf 5. Now you’re putting me up to R13 000, per month!”
“I told him he’s trying to kill me now. You are sending me into R13 000 now, without insurance! I told him that he is on a mission to destroy us.”
By then, Mbuyane admitted, it was already too late to turn back.
“I had already driven to Durban for the weekend. Everyone had already seen me in my new ride. It was too late to change my mind,” the Pirates legend added.
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