"I Was Only Thinking About Saving My Daughter": Happy Jele on 2017 Arrest for Speeding

• Happy Jele has spoken openly for the first time about his arrest, which happened in 2017 for driving at 223km/h near Sandton
• The former Orlando Pirates captain explained why he was rushing home after hearing some bad news
• Jele reflected on the incident as a life-changing lesson and admitted he has learned a lot from that harrowing incident

Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has opened up about a 2017 incident that led to his arrest for speeding, revealing he was rushing home after receiving news of a medical emergency involving his daughter.

Speaking on the Galston Anthony Podcast, Jele recalled being caught driving at 223km/h in a 120km/h zone after panicking upon receiving a call from his nanny.

“I was coming from Sandton around 8:30 or 9:00 pm on a Sunday. I got a call from home. My daughter was not okay. She was struggling to breathe. I panicked and told my friends I had to go,” he said.

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Driven by fear, Jele sped off without hesitation.

“I just rushed out and hit the road. I was worried and drove at 200-and-something km/h. I’m not proud of it. If I had been in an accident or hit someone, things could have ended badly,” he admitted.

Jele was stopped by police near Sandton, Johannesburg, and arrested on the spot. He later appeared in the Hatfield Magistrates' Court and was released on R1,000 bail. The outcome of the case was not widely reported, but Jele returned to play for Pirates until his departure in 2022.

Reflecting on the ordeal, he described it as a moment that changed his perspective.

“It was a lesson. I wouldn’t do that again. But at the time, I was only thinking about saving my daughter.”

Watch the clip below:

A recent report by the South African Police Service (SAPS) indicates a rise in speeding-related arrests among professional athletes, highlighting the stress they face off the field.

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While the specific percentage increase is not mentioned in the provided context, the report suggests that the pressures of their high-profile careers may contribute to this trend. According to an article on the SAPS website, the SAPS has a significant budget for the 2025/26 financial year, indicating their commitment to addressing issues like speeding.

Happy Jele talks about alcohol abuse

Jele said that alcohol is the cause of a lot of professional footballers' careers going down the drain. He pointed out that they failed to reach their fullest potential because they were more concerned with downing bottles of alcohol, something he has witnessed with his own two eyes.

Jele questioned how South African football players approach alcohol. He compared footballers to other sports players like cricketers and rugby players. He said they don't drink alcohol to finish the bottle but do so recreationally.

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Players must monitor their drinking

He also mentioned that one of the most essential things football players can do for themselves is monitor how they drink alcohol, bearing in mind how it could affect how it could affect their performance on the pitch. He also added that while he is not promoting drinking in sports, he believes having one glass of beer or wine is not a train smash.

Watch the clips below:

Pirates coach reacts to Appollis’ MOTM performance

Briefly News also reported that Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou commented on Appollis' performance against Polokwane City.

The South African international was named the best player of the match after being involved in both goals that gave the Bucs the win.

Source: Briefly News