No report from Richards Bay on Siphamandla Mtolo’s death - SAFA

By Mazola Molefe
24th July 2023

Nearly five months on, SAFA chief medical officer Dr Thulani Ngwenya has confirmed to SABC Sport the federation are yet to receive a report on Richards Bay midfielder Siphamandla Mtolo’s cause of death.

The club captain, who played nine DStv Premiership matches last season, collapsed during training and was later pronounced dead at the age of 29.

Ngwenya says he reached out to the team, but to date he has received no response.

"I did reach out to Richards Bay, unfortunately to date, we still haven't received a report in terms of what really transpired and what was the cause of death," Ngwenya said.

"So, I do not have information, and [from] where I am sitting, I just know from what I saw in the media space that there was a collapse and an athlete died, which is very unfortunate."

Mtolo’s passing sent shockwaves in the football fraternity, and Ngwenya urges clubs to appoint what he calls “qualified sport physicians,” who he feels are best equipped to deal with the welfare of athletes.

"Richards Bay does not have a qualified sports physician on a full-time basis – that I know for a fact. But then, in terms of them having a medical doctor or not, it's a different story altogether," he added.

"I don't know if they do have, but I know when they're hosting games, they have a doctor because it's a requirement by the PSL. But when they are at training, I don't know if they do have.

"Because my understanding is that the collapse happened and there was a medico that attended the athlete, but what is not clear is if that medico was a medical doctor or physio, or sports scientist, which then leaves a lot to be desired."

Ngwenya also makes a case for why the Natal Rich Boys should have been open about Mtolo’s death, especially given its seriousness.

"This information needed to have been shared so that we can really try and assist where possible to raise the importance of having the right people on the field," noted the Bafana Bafana head physician.

"Because, honestly, in this day and age, we can't have young, fit athletes dying on the field of play, while doing what they love, especially when you have such expertise – the people and personnel that can actually help in dealing with that."