By Gabriella Ogbu
A former junior international football player from South Africa, Luke Fleurs, who had played for Kaizer Chiefs, was tragically killed in a carjacking incident in Johannesburg, according to police reports.
The 24-year-old Fleurs was shot in the chest by unidentified assailants who approached him while he was waiting at a service station on Wednesday night. The attackers then fled the scene in his car.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo informed the media that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident yet.
Fleurs, who played as a center back, was previously called up to the senior national team for World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia in 2021. Although he did not make an appearance during the matches, he played every minute for South Africa during the Olympic Games held in Tokyo.
The news of Fleurs’ untimely demise has deeply saddened the football community. South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan expressed condolences, describing the loss as devastating for Fleurs’ family, friends, teammates, and the football fraternity at large.
Zizi Kodwa, the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture in South Africa, lamented the loss of yet another life due to violent crime, highlighting the ongoing concerns over safety and security in the country.
Fleurs had joined Kaizer Chiefs from SuperSport United in October after previously attending the Ubuntu Football Academy in Cape Town.
