FIGHTING BACK

Westridge-based Mitchells Plain Kickboxing Club are fighting back after a devastating fire destroyed their training equipment ahead of the national championships in October. 

A suspected arson petrol-bombing attack on a neighbour of chief instructor Jeremy Petersen's home last month gutted his house in Lentegeur too.

His shed, which acts as a makeshift gym where he does private training sessions, unfortunately, was also destroyed, along with club’s training gear.

Among the destroyed equipment were weights, treadmills, gloves, pads, battle ropes, a vibrating machine and more, collectively valued north of R100 000. 

Even more devastating, the club had recently got brand new equipment that hadn’t even been unwrapped yet. 

Peterson explained: “It seems like there was a confrontation involving our next-door neighbour and someone who threatened to petrol bomb their place. 

“From what we can tell, the suspect climbed onto our garage roof with petrol and must have spilled some inside. 

“There’s also artificial grass in our gym area, and that also went up in flames, and within 15 minutes, everything was gone.”

In the days following the fire, the situation worsened. With the home, also housing Peterson’s parents, now vacated due to safety concerns, looters attempted to break in and scavenge whatever remained using the easy access to the home.  

The Mitchells Plain Kickboxing Club is more than just a gym, it’s a hub of discipline, mentorship, and opportunity for local youth. On any given day the gym serves up to 40 students at a time and has a membership of over 60.

The gym, however, hasn’t let the tragedy stop them. Six fighters from the club, including Peterson himself, are preparing to compete for national honours on the weekend of the 24 to 26 October.

To aid in their rebuilding efforts, the club has launched a donation page where anyone willing to help can contribute. 

For more information about the club or If you'd like to assist in any way, visit https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-for-mitchells-plain-kickboxing or call 076 028 6123.