South African police, on Wednesday revealed that they have arrested six suspects for the murder of Kaizer Chiefs footballer, Luke Fleurs.
The 24-year-old defender was killed last week as he refilled his car at a gas station in a northwestern suburb of the city, in the latest incident to shock the crime-ridden nation. The Police spokesman Mavela Masondo said, “Police have arrested six suspects for the alleged hijacking and murder”. Authorities have said Fleurs was waiting to be served at a petrol station in his Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI when he was confronted by two men, who ordered him out of the vehicle at gunpoint.
Once he got out of his car, they shot him before driving away in his vehicle. Masondo said the arrests were made on Wednesday in Johannesburg’s southwestern township of Soweto, two days after detectives recovered Fleurs’s car. He also said, “The search for more suspects is continuing.” The suspects are expected to appear in court on Friday.
South Africa suffers from a soaring violent crime rate which is a key political issue ahead of the general elections in May, with opposition parties pointing to the government’s perceived failure. According to Reports gathered, South Africa recorded almost 84 murders a day between October and December. Sports Minister, Zizi Kodwa said he was “saddened that yet another life has been cut short due to violent crime”.
Fleurs joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2023 having previously played for SuperSport United. The former Under-23 international represented South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Kaizer Chiefs are one of South Africa’s top teams, having won a record 53 domestic trophies.
