On Wednesday, South African police announced the arrest of six suspects in the murder of footballer Luke Fleurs, who played for the famed Johannesburg club Kaizer Chiefs.
The 24-year-old defender was gunned down last week while refueling his car at a gas station in a northern suburb of the city, in the latest incident to shake the crime-ridden nation.
“Police have arrested six suspects for the alleged hijacking and murder,” police spokesperson Mavela Masondo (SAPS) said.
According to authorities, Fleurs was waiting for service at a gas station in his Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI when he was attacked by two guys who forced him out of the vehicle at gunpoint.
When he stepped out of his car, they shot him before driving away.
Masondo said the arrests were made early Wednesday in Johannesburg’s southwestern neighborhood of Soweto, two days after officers found Fleurs’ car.
Investigators believe the suspects are part of a crime ring that has carried out numerous auto hijackings in Johannesburg’s Gauteng province.
“The search for more suspects continues,” Masondo said.
South Africa’s violent crime rate is skyrocketing, making it a critical political issue ahead of the May general elections, with opposition parties blaming the government for perceived failure.
According to government estimates, the country averaged nearly 84 homicides per day between October and December.
Kaizer Chiefs is one of South Africa’s best teams, having won a record 53 domestic titles.
