South African footballer and Olympian Luke Fleurs killed in hijacking
Former South Africa junior international Luke Fleurs, known for his time with the country's iconic club Kaizer Chiefs, tragically lost his life in an attempted hijacking in Johannesburg, as confirmed by police officials.
The 24-year-old was shot in the chest during the incident at a petrol station on Wednesday night, with the assailants fleeing in his vehicle.
“While waiting to be served by the petrol attendant, he was confronted by two armed males,” explained police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, emphasizing that no arrests had been made yet.
Fleurs, a prominent centre-back, had notably played every minute for South Africa at the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021. He was also called up to the senior team for World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia in the same year, although he did not get the chance to play and remained uncapped.
Expressing deep sorrow, South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan stated, “We woke up to the heartbreaking and devastating news of the passing of this young life. This is such a huge loss for his family, friends, his teammates and football in general. We are all grieving this young man’s passing.”
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, echoed the sentiment, saying, “I am saddened that yet another life has been cut short due to violent crime.”
Fleurs had joined Chiefs from SuperSport United in October after progressing through the Ubuntu Football Academy in Cape Town.
His tragic death is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of fatal hijackings in South Africa, a country grappling with one of the highest murder rates globally.
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