Updated — Oct 31. 11:30 a.m. ET
The captain of South Africa's national soccer team, Senzo Meyiwa, has been shot dead after an armed gang reportedly entered his girlfriend's home in Vosloorus, south of Johannesburg, on Sunday, BBC News reported.
Meyiwa, 27, helped his domestic team, the Orlando Pirates, progress to the semifinals of the South African League Cup as part of their 4-1 victory over Ajax Cape Town on Saturday.
The goalkeeper played in his country's last four Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games, and had yet to concede a goal during the team's campaign.
A statement from the South African Police Service said two men entered the house of Meyiwa's girlfriend — singer Kelly Khumalo — at around 8:00 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. ET) on Sunday, while a third remained outside.
Shots were fired in what local media say was an attempted burglary, before all three men fled on foot.
Reports suggest one of the men demanded Meyiwa hand them his mobile phone.
Meyiwa was pronounced dead on arrival in hospital. Police are offering a 250,000 rand ($14,000) reward for information, BBC News reported.
The Orlando Pirates released a statement saying Meyiwa's death was a "sad loss."
The team's chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, told a press conference on Monday that he was seeking the postponement of the Orlando Pirates' scheduled Soweto Derby game against arch rivals the Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
Dr Khoza: "We wrote a letter to the PSL & to SAFA this morning, with a plea to request postponement of the match with Kaizer Chiefs"
Orlando Pirates FC@Orlando_PiratesFollow
Dr Khoza: "We wrote a letter to the PSL & to SAFA this morning, with a plea to request postponement of the match with Kaizer Chiefs"
9:07 AM - 27 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
The South African Football Association has since postponed the game.
South Africa national team coach Shakes Mashaba paid tribute to Meyiwa during the same press conference.
Mashaba: "A good guy like Senzo will never just vanish. His spirit will live forever."
Mashaba: "A good guy like Senzo will never just vanish. His spirit will live forever."
9:26 AM - 27 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Mashaba: "Senzo was not just a goalkeeper. He was a peacemaker. That's the biggest thing I remember about him."
Mashaba: "Senzo was not just a goalkeeper. He was a peacemaker. That's the biggest thing I remember about him."
9:28 AM - 27 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Darren Keet, the second choice goalkeeper for South Africa's national team, tweeted the following:
When does it STOP South Africa? When do we STOP just "moving on"? Take control of our country for all our people.
Darren Keet@popeyekeetFollow
When does it STOP South Africa? When do we STOP just "moving on"? Take control of our country for all our people.
10:35 PM - 26 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Tsepo Masilela — Kaizer Chiefs defender and Meyiwa's teammate on the national side — tweeted that the "whole country is at loss."
He was one of the good goal keepers we have in the country. The whole country is at loss. #SenzoMeyiwa
TsepoMasilela@TsepoMasilelaFollow
He was one of the good goal keepers we have in the country. The whole country is at loss. #SenzoMeyiwa
4:18 AM - 27 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career. Words cannot express the nation's shock at this loss.
UPDATE: A 25-year-old suspect has been arrested and appeared in court over the murder, according to a number of South African media outlets.
A 25-year-old man has appeared in court for the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, the NPA says. More to follow.
News24@News24Follow
A 25-year-old man has appeared in court for the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, the NPA says. More to follow.
10:38 AM - 31 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Meyiwa murder suspect nabbed, court postpones matter until November 11 http://t.co/a4sa9FaoiI
Times LIVE@TimesLIVEFollow
Meyiwa murder suspect nabbed, court postpones matter until November 11 http://t.co/a4sa9FaoiI
10:27 AM - 31 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
