Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates defender, Patrick Phungwayo, could soon become a pedestrian. According to court papers seen by ZiMoja, the 35-year- old has been dragged to the South Gauteng High Court by FirstRand Bank Limited over an unpaid amount of R307 652.28 on his car. This is the money owed to the bank for a vehicle finance that the Alexandra-born Phungwayo owes to them.

 ACCUSED OF HIJACKINGS

 Phungwayo, who joined Pirates in 2012 from Bidvest Wits, has also plied his trade in Greece in 2010. After leaving the Buccaneers in 2017, he joined Free State Stars the same year. He played for Stars until 2019. In between playing for Pirates in 2017, he was arrested for attempted murder with his brother, Phelelani. Then in November 2021, Phungwayo and his then accomplice were suspected of being involved in a string of car hijackings, robberies, and theft. Two hijacked cars were found at the player's residence, but he denied any knowledge of the hijackings claiming the hijackers dumped the cars at his place. His younger brother Aubrey, at the time reportedly defended Phungwayo by saying he was arrested by mistake since the suspects who were chased by the police left their stolen vehicles at his panelbeating yard.

LATEST COURT MATTER 

According to the papers, the latest matter between FirstRand Bank Limited and the retired footballer, Phungwayo, was registered at the South Gauteng High Court on 28 February 2023. In the court documents, the bank has said: "Interest thereon at the rate of 18.75 percent nominal per annum calculated daily and compounded monthly with effect from 11 July 2022 to date of payment, both days inclusive.'

TOUGH TIMES

 According to sources close to him, Phungwano is currently not playing for any club. The source added that things started going south for him during the pandemic. "Everyone was going through a rough patch, it was understandable then, but he did not recover financially because no club wanted him,' adds the source. According to another soccer player who spoke to ZiMoja, they suffer the same fate because they don't know how to save up. "They always repeat the same mistakes made by those before us, fast life, girls, and fun - they never think about saving for their future or investing in something solid. According to the source the soccer star is trying his best to arrange so that he does not lose his car, although things are still tough. "We told him that instead of avoiding their calls he must just arrange payments with them, no bank wants to take your car unless you run away from there," the source added. When Phungwayo for a comment he said: "Who is this? nxxa,' before hanging up the phone.