Two Marumo Gallants FC staffers held captive in Libya over hotel bill dispute set to return home

Two Marumo Gallants FC staffers held captive in Libya are set to return home after nearly three weeks following a financial dispute.

Media officer Rufus Matsena and physio Tebogo Dhlomo have been held in Libya and had their passports taken since their club Gallants faced Al Akhdar SC in the CAF Confederation Cup game.

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Libyan hotel owner Dr Ali Elzargha is alleged to have kept the two captive following a dispute over a hotel bill from the time the Premier Soccer League (PSL) team stayed at his establishment during the Confed Cup fixture.

According to Gallants chairman Abram Sello, Elzargha inflated amounts in an attempt to "extort" them and R700 000 for Matsena’s and Dhlomo’s release.

Media alert ?? pertaining to the Libya issue. pic.twitter.com/YjKeflndTL

After reaching out to the South African government for help, it appears as though the situation is nearing an end and the duo is set to return home.

"Two Marumo Gallants staff members (Rufus Matsena andTebogo Amos Dhlomo) who were detained in Libya following the team’s CAF Confederation Cup match against Al Akhdar on 19 March 2023 are finally set to return home," Gallants said in a statement on Saturday.

"This comes after a mediation meeting held this Thursday with relevant officials and representatives from various organisations.

"Travel documents for the two employees have been returned, and that both Matsena and Dhlomo are ready for their much-awaited return to their country and families. They will be landing in Johannesburg over the course of the current long weekend."