Football player Luke Fleurs of South Africa was shot dead by robbers in Johannesburg on Thursday, according to police and his club. This is just the latest incident to rock the nation plagued by crime.
Fleurs, 24, a defender for the well-known Kaizer Chiefs team in Johannesburg, was shot and killed on Wednesday night while filling up his car at a gas station in a suburb to the northwest of the city, according to police.
Kaizer Chiefs player Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg, his team announced on social media. “It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce,” the post read.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
According to the police, Fleurs was approached by two armed men driving a white BMW while he was waiting to be served at a gas station in his Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI.
“The suspects pointed him with a fireiarm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body. Following his accomplice, one suspect drove off with the victim’s car, according to police spokesman Masondo Mavela.
The footballer was taken to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival, he added.
A murder and vehicle theft investigation has been launched, according to the authorities. A manhunt for the suspects is ongoing. No arrests have been made.
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa paid tribute to Fleurs on social media.
“I am saddened that yet another life has been cut short due to violent crime. My thoughts are with the Fleurs and Amakhosi families and the entire South African football fraternity,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, referring to the Kaizer Chiefs team by their nickname.
With opposition parties highlighting the government’s alleged shortcomings, South Africa’s extraordinarily high crime rates are a major political concern ahead of general elections in May.
