South African footballer and Olympian Luke Fleurs has been killed in a hijacking in Johannesburg, his Kaizer Chiefs club said overnight.
The 24-year-old defender was shot while waiting to be served at a petrol station in the suburb of Honeydew, according to police.
“Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time,” Kaizer Chiefs said in a statement.
According to police spokesperson Mavela Masondo, the attackers fled with Fleur’s vehicle and police were investigating a case of murder and car hijacking.
Fleurs previously played for the national under-23 side, representing South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics.
Thousands of people have been killed in hijackings in South Africa, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world.
The latest official crime statistics from October to December last year showed 5973 hijacking cases reported.