Cheeseboy Mokoena Recalls Punch Masenamela’s Fake R1 Million Kidnapping Stunt at Mamelodi Sundowns

• Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Lebohang 'Cheeseboy' Mokoena shared details of a bizarre incident involving ex-teammate Punch Masenamela
• Masenamela allegedly contacted club president Patrice Motsepe, demanding R1 million in ransom money from supposed kidnappers
• Sundowns launched an immediate response to trace the player's whereabouts, leading to a shocking discovery at a Vaal lodge

Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Lebohang "Cheeseboy" Mokoena has lifted the lid on one of South African football's strangest stories, describing how ex-teammate Punch Masenamela allegedly staged his own kidnapping and demanded R1 million in ransom from the club.

Mokoena shared the account during an appearance on Soccerbeat, recalling events that unfolded during a training week ahead of a weekend fixture while both players were at Sundowns. Masenamela, a former Kaizer Chiefs left-back, joined Sundowns in 2011 and spent three seasons at the Chloorkop club.

How the Alleged Kidnapping Unfolded

According to Mokoena, the squad was already in camp when news of the supposed abduction broke. "We were training in the week preparing for the weekend's game and Friday, when we arrived at camp, calls came in and we were told Punch Masenamela had been kidnapped," he said.

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Masenamela then reportedly contacted club president Patrice Motsepe directly, claiming he was being held against his will. "Punch called and told the president [Patrice Motsepe] that he had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom," Mokoena recalled. When Motsepe asked how much was required, the answer was R1 million.

"He thought he was dealing with guys from the side corner who would just send the money," Mokoena added.

Lodge Discovery Exposes the Scheme

Sundowns did not simply wire the funds. The club took steps to trace Masenamela's location, and what they found quickly unravelled his story. "They made signals, traced his call and found out that Punch was at a lodge in the Vaal. He was busy with room service the whole time and making calls, asking for ransom," Mokoena said, laughing as he recounted the moment.

When officials reached the lodge, Masenamela was alone. There were no kidnappers and no sign of any threat.

Mokoena said that upon Masenamela's return to training, the entire squad demanded an explanation. The players turned the situation into a moment of dark humour, presenting him with a briefcase and joking that it held the R1 million he had asked for. Senior players also made clear that nothing of the sort should ever happen again.

Source: Briefly News