Captain Of South Africa's National Football Team Shot Dead

Last pic he posted on Instargram an hour before death
The goalkeeper and captain of South Africa's national football team have been shot dead by gunmen who broke into the house of his girlfriend.
Police say Senzo Meyiwa, twenty-seven was killed after two armed men entered the house in the Vosloorus township near Johannesburg on Sunday evening while an accomplice waited outside.

Seven people were believed to have been inside the house, including Meyiwa, when the suspects forced their way into the property.

Police said Meyiwa was shot after a row, and the assailants fled.

South Africa's police force tweeted: "There was an altercation and Senzo Meyiwa was shot. The three suspects fled on foot after the shooting.

"We can assure South Africans that we will do all we can to bring Meyiwa's killers to book." 

A reward of 150,000 rand (£8,500) has been offered for information leading to an arrest.

The raid on the home of his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, came just hours after she had posted an image of the couple on picture-sharing website, Instagram.

Cindy Poluta, sports editor at Eyewitness News in Johannesburg, told Sky News: "Two men came inside and started demanding goods and cell phones. It was when Senzo was trying to defend Kelly, who apparently the gun was being pointed at, when he was shot in the back.

"Neighbours said they heard three shots but only one of those killed Senzo.

"He was declared dead on arrival at a hospital in Johannesburg and later on in the evening, South Africa's national coach was seen comforting fellow teammates." 

South Africans waking up to the news turned to Twitter to express their sadness.

Senzo Meyiwa, the goalkeeper and captain of South Africa's national football team, was fatally shot after two gunmen entered a house near Johannesburg where he was staying.

Senzo Meyiwa, the goalkeeper and captain of South Africa's national football team, was fatally shot after two gunmen entered a house near Johannesburg where he was staying.

And Ephraim Mashaba, the manager of South Africa's national side, wept as he told a news conference that Meyiwa's qualities extended way beyond his footballing abilities.

"As we were sitting, deliberating, preparing for the oncoming match against Sudan, guess what? Senzo's name was on the top of the list, but on the playing level (and as) the captain," he said.

"He kept a clean sheet ... he kicks, he saves goals and all that, but there's one thing that I want to make you aware of (about) Senzo today.

"Senzo was a very kind person. I've never seen Senzo being sad or angry in the camp."

He said Meyiwa was link between the players and technical staff.

 

"Safe to say, without any doubt, since we started with Senzo, this national team never had problems," he said.

Police at the scene of Meyiwa's shooting.

Kelly Khumalo, girlfriend of Senzo Meyiwa, arrives back at her home.

Irvin Khoza, chairman of Meyiwa's club, Orlando Pirates, said: "This is a sad loss whichever way you look at it - to Senzo's family, his extended family, Orlando Pirates and to the nation."

Dean Furman, one of Meyiwa's teammates, tweeted: "Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain & friend Senzo Meyiwa. Thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends at this terrible time."

Meyiwa was South Africa's captain in its four qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations this year, including its last game, a 0-0 draw with Republic of Congo on 15 October.

His death is the second to hit South African sports in three days, as former 800-metre world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car crash on Friday.

 

Sky News