South African Soccer Captain Senzo Meyiwa Shot Dead

Just a day after the 27 year old helped lead his team to victory against the Ajax Cape Town on Saturday night, goal keeper Senzo Mayiwa was shot dead in a Vosloorus township home near Johannesburg. The incident took place around 8pm on Sunday night when armed men rushed his girlfriend’s house.

Police are reporting that two men entered the house demanding valuables and mobile phones. Then an altercation took place. One man remained outside. Meyiwa was shot and all three men fled on foot. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. His girlfriend, South African pop star Kelly Khumalo (whom they shared a daughter) was also in the home and police say he may have been trying to defend her. No one else in the home was harmed. 

Police are asking for any information on who could have committed this crime and are offering a are offering a reward of 150,000 Rand. 

In a statement,  South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula said: ‘We humbly encourage all individuals who have any information on on the whereabouts of these thugs to co-operate fully with the police on the urgent apprehension of these shameless individuals.  We urge the police to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the thugs as a matter of urgency. Our society will never be at peace until the suspects have been arrested and been brought under the wrath of the country’s legal system. We would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to Senzo Meyiwa’s family, his club, Orlando Pirates, the nation and the entire football and sporting fraternity. The death of Senzo Meyiwa has robbed this country of an icon and a legend in the making.”