Senzo Meyiwa - A South African soccer player has been shot and killed by armed robbers during a heist in this Gauteng residence on Sunday evening.
Orlando Pirates and South African Goal Keeper, Senzo Meyiwa, was reportedly shot and killed while trying to protect his girlfriend and singer Kelly Kumalo. The couple reportedly have a ten-month old daughter. It is unclear if she was also involved in the incident.
The soccer player was shot and killed after "Two guys entered the house and demanded cellphones, money and other valuables. Senzo Meyiwa tried to protect Kelly because one of the men had a gun pointed towards her," Sizakele Nkosi-Malubane, the Gauteng Community Safety MEC said on Monday.
Reports indicate that he was shot in the back and the bullet exited from his chest.
The soccer player shot and killed was in front of the post during his team's 4-1 victory over Ajax Cape Town on Saturday. Meyiwa was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to the Botshelong hospital in Johannesburg.
The South African police are currently investigating the robbery and fatal shooting of the soccer player.
The police are offering a reward of R150,000 ($13,677) to anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the armed robbers.
"A reward of up to R 150 000 is on offer 4 any info that can lead to arrest," SA police said via twitter.
"There were 7 people inside the house. Two suspects went into the house, one remained outside. The 3 fled on foot after the shooting," the tweet revealed.
South Africa's Ministry of Sports and Recreation have told the press that the ministry is aware of the player's demise, but would only issue a statement after meeting with his family.
"The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Minister Fikile Mbalula, has with deep sorrow taken note of widely published reports of the passing away of Orlando Pirates and South African Goal Keeper, Senco Meyiwa," a ministry statement read.
This news of the soccer player shot and killed is the second about the demise of a South African athlete in three days. On Friday, Olympian Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car crash.
Reports indicate that as a mark of respect for Senzo Meyiwa, the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates has been postponed. No new date has been announced for highly anticipated game, which was scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1st, 2014.
Responding to the news about the soccer player shot and killed, Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza 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."
