South African Defender Luke Fleurs shot dead in car hijacking
South African Soccer Player Luke Fleurs was shot dead by robbers in Johannesburg in the latest crime incident in the crime-ridden nation, police and his club said on Thursday.
Fleurs, a defender with Kaizer Chiefs; one of South Africa’s top teams was shot while refuelling his car at a gas station in Johannesburg.
“It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce that Kaizer Chiefs player Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg,” his team said in a social media post.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Police said the 24-year-old defender was waiting at a petrol station to buy petrol in his Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI when he was approached by two armed men driving a white BMW.
“The suspects pointed him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body. One suspect drove off with the victim’s car followed by his accomplice,” said police spokesman Masondo Mavela.
He also added that the footballer was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Authorities said they have opened a murder and car hijacking investigation. A manhunt for the suspects is ongoing but no arrests have been made yet.
South Africa Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa also 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 family, and the entire South African football fraternity,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, referring to the Kaizer Chiefs team by their nickname.
South Africa suffers from extremely high crime rates — The country recorded almost 84 murders a day between October and December, according to official figures.
We ask that his soul rest in perfect peace.
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