Soccer bribery accused Phil “Mr Jones” Setshedi was released on R10 000 bail in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday and has to appear again on September 9.
The Sandton resident and former Orlando Pirates general manager was arrested on Wednesday in a sting operation by the Hawks.
He is allegedly to have approached soccer match officials with a R2 000 bribe on Tuesday, to secure a win for Mpumalanga Sevutsa against Ga-Rankuwa United, part of the 2011 Vodacom League National Play-Offs.
Setshedi was a star and captain of the Mighty Buccaneers during the mid-1970s, when he played alongside the likes of Jomo Sono, Webster Lichaba and Yster Khomane. He was also Bafana Bafana assistant coach.
Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela said a member of the Hawks had posed as a match referee and met Setshedi at a hotel in Cape Town on Tuesday, “where the suspect allegedly agreed to pay the agent to secure a win for Mpumalanga Sevutsa”.
“A follow-up meeting was arranged at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Wednesday, where actual payments were expected to take place.”
Polela said R2 000 was handed over to the Hawks agent.
According to the charge sheet, Setshedi was held overnight at the Table Bay Harbour police station. The State did not oppose bail, provided he handed over his passport.
He is to face a charge of corruption. Court reports suggested he had a clean record.
Setshedi must report to the Sandton police every Monday and Thursday.