Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs was shot dead in a botched hijacking on Wednesday. Image: Instagram/@lukefleurs25
Luke Fleurs puts spotlight on South Africa’s violent crime scourge
Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs was killed in a botched hijacking in Honeydew, Johannesburg North, on Wednesday night.
Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs was shot dead in a botched hijacking on Wednesday. Image: Instagram/@lukefleurs25
South Africa’s scourge of violent crime, particularly murders, is again taking centre stage after the hijacking and murder of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs.
Kaizer Chiefs defender killed in attempted hijacking
By the end of 2023, South Africa saw a rise in violent crime, with many police stations reporting a high number of murders.
According to BusinessTech, Police Minister Bheki Cele stated that murders in the third quarter of the 2023/24 year (October to December 2023) increased by 2.1%, leading to 155 more murders compared to quarter 3 of 2022/23.
Cele stated that arguments, misunderstandings, and road rage were the primary causes of the killings.
The Western Cape also saw an 8.9% increase in murder and hijacking cases, and the country’s richest province, Gauteng, saw a 3.8% increase.
Orlando Pirates official Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala was shot during a home invasion.
According to Sunday World, Tshabalala said he was recovering from the injuries after being shot by unidentified shooters, according to his family, who alerted the police about the incident.
Last year Oshwin Andries, Stellenbosch FC defender died from a stab wound a week after the incident.
According to TimesLive, Andries died a week later with complications related to the injury.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo stated that Fleurs was driving a red VW Golf 8 GTI into the petrol station on 14th Avenue.
“While waiting to be served by the petrol attendant, he was confronted by two armed males who came driving a white BMW 1 Series,” Masondo said.
“The suspects pointed him with a firearm [sic] and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body. One suspect drove off with the victim’s car, followed by his accomplice.”
According to IOL, Fleurs was taken to the nearest medical care centre, where he was certified dead on his arrival.
Police have opened an investigation into the murder and car hijacking, but no arrests have been made yet.
IOL reported that Masondo stated that Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has appointed a team of detectives from the provincial office to investigate and search for the suspects.
Luke Fleurs life and career
Fleurs was born in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.
He signed for Ubuntu Cape Town academy in 2013 at the age of 13, and he made his National First Division debut aged 17 and made 18 league appearances in his first season of professional football.
Fleurs signed for South African Premier Division club SuperSport United on a long-term deal in summer 2018.
Fleurs represented South Africa at under-20 level.
He was called up for Bafana Bafana in 2021 and 2022, albeit without receiving a cap.
On 26 October 2023, Fleurs joined fellow Premiership side Kaizer Chiefs, signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year.
