Cape Town – Springbok dietitian Zeenat Simjee has broken her silence, refuting claims of an alleged affair with South African fly-half, Elton Jantjies.
Simjee and Jantjies were subjects of a media storm after it was reported by Rapport that the pair allegedly spent a romantic evening in a guesthouse in Mbombela ahead of the Springboks’ Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks.
After the outburst of stories and social media posts regarding the two, both Simjee and Jantjies were sent home to attend to those personal reports and to eliminate possible distractions to the team’s preparations for their Test match against Argentina on Saturday, September 17.
According to IOL, Simjee released a statement in which she denied the allegations and appealed to the original publisher, which first made the claims of her and Jantjies’ affair to retract their statements and apologise.
Simjee’s reported statement: m
“I am the subject of some extremely negative media reports over the last week, tarnishing me personally and degrading my dignity.
“I appreciate the support of my fellow Springbok management team members who concurred with my choice to return home to work through this with the support of my family and relevant professionals.
“I chose to maintain a dignified silence while the media storm was raging, as I am severely traumatised by what has transpired.
“Let me unequivocally state that I am shocked at the level of sensational journalism from the newspaper that first published the article. I am devastated by the fact that a journalist and his newspaper could publish such damaging allegations on false and baseless hearsay. It is disappointing.
“As a young professional, I hold my profession in high regard. In the same light, it is an honour and privilege to represent my country and be part of the Springbok team. As a person of values, I will not bring about disrepute to myself, my family, my profession and all the many incredible people that have been kind, positive and supportive towards me throughout this ordeal.
“The weekend ahead of the Test week in Mbombela, I had been with my parents dealing with family bereavement. So, the allegations of me spending time with Elton Jantjies at a guesthouse is devoid of any truth.
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“This has cast an extremely negative aspersion and disgraceful perspective on my character to which other media houses have also added their perspective. I appeal to the original publisher to retract and apologise for the negative sentiment cast on me.
“I am committed to the Springbok team and would like to expediently get this behind me so I can continue with my professional responsibilities to the Springbok team.”
In support of his colleague, Jantjies is reported to have denied that it was Simjee who was with him in the guest houses he was staying at.
“Simjee was never with me at either of the two guest houses that I stayed at. She is a good friend and nothing more,” he said.
“That her good name is now being dragged through the mud is a shame.”
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Picture: Twitter/@Zeenat_Simjee
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
