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by Mick the Ram
South African footballer Luke Fleurs, has tragically been shot dead in a shocking car-jacking incident.
The shooting took place at a gas station on Wednesday night (3 April) in the Johannesburg suburb of Florida.
The Kaizer Chiefs star had pulled up at a pump and was waiting to be attended to by a member of staff, when he seemingly was approached by unknown gunmen.
The 24-year-old was ordered out of his vehicle and totally unprovoked he was callously fired at. The bullet hit the former Under-23 international in the chest and although paramedics arrived quickly, sadly he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
The perpetrators fled the scene in the victim’s car immediately after the shooting.
South Africa is grappling with increasing gun violence, with several mass shootings reported in recent years.
The young central defender represented South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and a minutes silence will be observed at the next round of all top-flight and second-tier games, in memory of the player.
“Tragic” message from his club
The player’s club side, Kaizer Chiefs, initially put out a short notice explaining that the police were handling the matter and further details would be communicated in due course.
However, early on Thursday (4 April) they issued a statement on their official website which described their players’ killing as “tragic”.
“Classy defender”
The club, who are one of the most popular in the country and are 12-time league champions, described Fleurs as a “classy defender, with great technical ability.”
They went on to announce the early information available in relation to circumstances that lead to the Cape Town born player’s loss of life and then said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time. May his dear soul rest in peace.”
Police statement
Gauteng Province Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, gave a short summery of the incident.
“ While waiting to be served by the attendant, he was confronted by two armed males and the suspects pointed at him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body”, he said.
He went on to confirm that as yet, no arrests had been made.
It is understood that a special team of detectives has already been assigned to investigate the full details surrounding the young man’s terrible last moments.
On verge of full international debut
The player had joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2023 having previously played for SuperSport United.
He had played every minute for South Africa at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, and that same year was called up to the senior team for World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia, although he did not make it off the bench.
He remained uncapped at the highest level, but many experts were forecasting that a full call cap was likely in the very near future.
Authorities condolence messages
South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan said it was not only a huge loss for his family, friends, his teammates, but football in general. He posted a message saying: “We woke up to the heart-breaking and devastating news and we are all grieving this young man’s passing”.
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa said he was “saddened that yet another life has been cut short due to violent crime”.
Car-jacking on the increase
The country of South Africa is battling against an ever increasing wave of gun violence, with several mass shootings reported in recent years and has one of the highest murder rates anywhere in the world.
There is also a rising trend in month-on-month car-jackings, with methods such as bogus blue-light cops, and the good Samaritan tactic very popular, but also a noticeable acceleration of the crime taking place when victims are innocently waiting at food outlets and petrol stations.
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