South Africa: Zimbabwean footballer evades shots in Johannesburg

South African police are investigating an attempted murder after shots were fired at the player's vehicle, who was with his brother.

Divine Lunga experienced something no one wants to witness. The Zimbabwean defender for Mamelodi Sundowns escaped unharmed from an armed attack in Johannesburg, South Africa, while he was walking in the Hillbrow neighborhood.

According to South African police, as reported by several media outlets, the 31-year-old player was unharmed. His vehicle was targeted by gunfire, but he and his companions escaped without injury. An attempted murder investigation has been launched.

Shots fired in the Hillbrow area

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday in Hillbrow, an area in central Johannesburg frequently associated with crime. According to initial reports in the South African press, Divine Lunga was with her younger brother when an unknown gunman opened fire on their car.

Police spokeswoman Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that an investigation was underway. No suspects had been arrested at the time of initial reports. Authorities are seeking to understand the exact circumstances of the attack and the identity of the shooter.

A report in the local press suggests a possible case of mistaken identity. The player may have been mistaken for an off-duty police officer. This theory remains to be confirmed by the investigation, but it gives an idea of the chaos surrounding the incident.

The player escaped unharmed.

The most reassuring point is that Divine Lunga was unharmed. Neither was his brother. In a country where armed attacks regularly make headlines, the story quickly spread among Zimbabwean and South African fans.

The defender plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the continent's top clubs. He also represents Zimbabwe, for whom he has played several international matches. This dual exposure gave the incident significant visibility, especially after the messages of relief shared by the Zimbabwean national team.

The Warriors, the nickname of Zimbabwe's national team, posted a picture of the player in a prayerful pose with the message "In God we trust." A simple way of expressing relief after an evening that could have ended in tragedy.

A Mamelodi Sundowns executive

Divine Lunga is no stranger to African football. The left-back joined Mamelodi Sundowns after making a name for himself in the South African league. With the club, he won several national titles and a continental victory, which solidified his status within the squad.

His profile is also important to Zimbabwe. Lunga has been selected several times for the Warriors and was among the players being monitored during the World Cup qualifiers. Seeing an international player targeted by gunfire in a major South African city therefore provoked immediate outrage.

Mamelodi Sundowns has not yet released any extensive information on the matter. The most important thing, for the club and for the player's family, is that Lunga is alive and unharmed.

A highly anticipated investigation

What happens next now depends on the investigators. The police will have to determine whether Divine Lunga was actually the intended target, if the attack was due to mistaken identity, or if other factors explain the shooting. In the meantime, the incident serves as a reminder of the security tensions plaguing certain neighborhoods of Johannesburg.

For the fans, relief is the prevailing feeling. Divine Lunga escaped the worst, and African football will primarily remember this image: a player still alive after an attack that could have shattered a career and a