JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 16: Maimane Alfred Phiri celebrates his birthday during the Maimane Alfred Phiri Games 2017 at 3 Square Grounds on June 16, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Police issue update on shooting of former Bafana Bafana star
Police have issued an update on the shooting incident that saw former Bafana Bafana midfielder Maimane ‘Alfred’ Phiri hospitalised on Thursday
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 16: Maimane Alfred Phiri celebrates his birthday during the Maimane Alfred Phiri Games 2017 at 3 Square Grounds on June 16, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
The South African Police Service have issued an update on the shooting incident that saw former Bafana Bafana midfielder Maimane ‘Alfred’ Phiri hospitalised on Thursday.
While police have identified a suspect in the case they have also revealed that the alleged shooter turned the gun on himself and died in hospital.
Gunman shoots former Bafana star and turns weapon on himself
Another victim, also passed away from his injuries after being taken to hospital while Phiri is in a serious yet stable condition.
Police say that is alleged that a man chased a woman into a Tavern in Alexandra owned by Phiri, further the woman is said to be the former footballer’s sister.
It is understood that Phiri and another man tried to stop the assailant who then opened fire wounding the tavern owner and the second individual, who later died.
“Police have opened a case of murder, attempted murder and an inquest docket after a man allegedly shot two people and shot himself in Alexandra on Thursday 30 December 2021, at approximately 19h00,” police confirmed in a statement.
“It is reported that the suspect was carrying a firearm chasing his girlfriend in a tavern in Alexandra. The owner of a tavern, who is a brother of the woman, and another man tried to stop the suspect. The suspect shot the tavern owner in the arm and lower body and shot the other man on the upper body before turning the gun on himself,” reads the statement.
“All three men were taken to hospital. The suspect and the other man died in hospital while the tavern owner was admitted in a serious but stable condition. The police investigation is continuing,” concludes the police statement.
Phiri spent six seasons in Turkey playing mostly for Gençlerbirliği, but also for Vanspor and Samsunspor. In South Africa, he started his career as a youngster at Alexandra United and also played for Jomo Cosmos, Ajax Cape Town, Moroka Swallows and Supersport United.
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