Athletics boss shot dead at home

Banele Sindani was shot and killed in front of his 12-year-old daughter - all for a plasma screen TV and two cellphones.

Johannesburg - For years he campaigned and dedicated his time to improve athletics in South Africa. But on Monday, Banele Sindani was shot and killed in front of his 12-year-old daughter - all for a plasma screen TV and two cellphones.

Just on Monday, the former South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and Athletics SA chief executive had been the last surviving brother of 13 children. Now, his untimely death has sent more than 130 relatives into deep mourning.

On Tuesday, his large family gathered at his Ruimsig, Randburg, home, trying to make sense of the deadly home invasion. The attack, which left Sindani’s daughter traumatised, happened in the early hours of Monday.

Many questions remain for the family without definitive answers: How did the assailants manage to get to the second-floor balcony of Sindani’s home without a ladder?

How did they open the balcony door? Why had they chosen to shoot Sindani in front of his daughter?

As the tears flowed at the duplex, Sindani’s niece, Khosi Jiyane, told The Star how her uncle’s death had sent her family reeling. “For the extent of his involvement in the country and internationally, to die over a TV, it’s so unworthy of the person that he is,” she said.

Jiyane explained the sheer scale of Sindani’s family, with 71 nieces and nephews in the first generation, 44 in the next and 16 in the third. “These are times when we are all at a loss for words. As a family, we are totally devastated and shocked. It is a loss, it’s a waste. It’s like a dripping tap. It’s an unnecessary waste.”

Police provincial spokesman Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said the three men arrived at the boom gate to The Campus Complex in Ruimsig around 2am. The trio overpowered the on-duty Viper Risk Management security guard, with one of the men left to watch over him as the other two went further into the complex.

The pair somehow managed to get up to the balcony on the back side of the duplex home and broke a window to try to gain access.

Mofokeng told The Star that Sindani immediately heard the noise and confronted the men, but his nephew and family spokesman, Phelelani Sindani, said it was Sindani’s daughter who saw the armed robbers first while she was in the lounge.

While it’s unclear how the men opened the balcony door, they entered the home, where Sindani confronted them. A single shot was fired, hitting the 60-year-old in the abdomen. As her father lay dying on the floor, the men forced the daughter to open the front door for them to flee with the television and a few other valuables.

“It could have been worse,” Jiyane said. “Something could have happened to her, but it didn’t. So we are painfully grateful for that.”

Both police and Sindani’s family have said the young girl has been handed over to relatives to keep her safe. Phelelani said his uncle had been in negotiations to return to Athletics South Africa.

Police had yet to make any arrests and are calling on local residents to help find the three suspects. Mofokeng requested anyone with information to call the SAPS on the Crime Line number 08600 10111 or the SMS line on 32211.

Sindani was the first chief executive of Sascoc in 2005 and later headed administration at Athletics South Africa. He was also responsible for organising the Soweto Marathon Trust. Sindani’s public funeral is expected to take place on Saturday, with further details to be released in the week.

On Tuesday, Gauteng Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Faith Mazibuko extended her condolences to the family and loved ones of Sindani. “It is extremely sad to lose anyone in such a tragic way, especially those who’ve dedicated themselves to the building of this country.

“Banele Sindani did a lot for South African athletics, more notably in transforming the Soweto Marathon. Through his hard work, the Soweto Marathon became a gigantic event across the globe, attracting athletes from different parts of the world,” she said, adding that “the sporting industry has lost a talented sports administrator who will be deeply missed”.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula also spoke of Sindani’s achievements. “Banele Sindani has served on various sports bodies, working tirelessly to fulfil our dream of a united, transformed and equitable sport that creates opportunities for our people. His passing was sudden and shocking to all of us.”

Condolences were also expressed on social networks.

shain.germaner@inl.co.za

The Star

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