8 South African athletes who were killed in violent robberies

• Violence is not a foreign concept in South Africa
• While no major city in the world lacks violence cases, you have to be very alert while in South Africa
• It is a vice that has robbed the country of great men

Violence is not a foreign concept in Mzansi and it is indiscriminate. Sadly, the sporting world never forgets about South African athletes who were killed in the past. While no major city in the world lacks violence cases, you have to be very alert while in South Africa.

It is a vice that has robbed the country of great men such as the legendary reggae artist Lucky Dube. Dube lost his life on October 18, 2007, in Rosettenville, Johannesburg after dropping his children at their uncle’s house. Gunmen ambushed him and shot multiple times at his Chrysler 300C. The assailants were apprehended and convicted in 2009. They are now serving a life sentence.

A decade later, the country has lost great men in the sporting world to violent crime.

South African Athletes Who Were Killed

Below are seven athletes whose lives were taken away by violent criminals in different parts of South Africa.

Luke Fleurs

Luke Fleurs tops the list of South African athletes who were killed indiscriminately while at the peak of their career.  The Kaizer Chiefs football player was shot and killed on April 4 during a car hijacking.

The incident happened at night at a gas station in the Florida suburb of Johannesburg. The 24-year-old Kaizer Chiefs player was told to exit the car by unidentified gunmen as he was waiting to be attended to.

Following the shooting, one of the suspects drove Fleurs’ car out of the site. Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the Gauteng police spokesperson said he was shot in the upper body.

“The suspects pointed [at] him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body,” he stated.

Fleurs was a decisive footballer who chose sports over crime unlike most of his agemates who chose to join gangs.

Oshwin Andries

Oshwin Andries. Photo/ESPN

Oshwin Andries, a former captain of South Africa’s U20 team and defender for Stellenbosch FC passed away in February 2023 from stab wounds.

The footballer was having fun with pals when he got into a dispute at a taverna in the Klapmuts area. His mother Natasha claims that after the argument, the player was stabbed in the head and back.

After being admitted to the hospital and being discharged the next day, the athlete complained of pain, and he returned to the hospital for treatment. His condition worsened and he passed away.

Ariel ‘Pro’ Kgongoane

Kaizer Chief has a sad history Ariel ‘Pro’ Kgongoane in the list of South African athletes who were killed. Respected for his leadership as the Kaizer Chiefs captain, he was so committed to teaching in Soweto. He had an enviable personality in and out of the football world.

Kgongoane was caught up in the mayhem that gripped the township on that fateful June 16, 1976, as the Soweto riots broke out. He was tragically hit by a stray gunshot, adding his name to the long list of casualties of the violence and turmoil that engulfed the town.

Senzo Meyiwa

In October 2014, Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead by thieves while attempting to defend his famous girlfriend during a break-in. His death is arguably the most bizarre murder involving a football player in South Africa.

Meyiwa faced off with two intruders at the Vosloorus, a slum southeast of Johannesburg which was home to actress and singer Kelly Khumalo. He was shot in the chest and pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. His glory still lives on as a goalkeeper of the Orlando Pirates.

China Hlongwane

China Hlongwane played for the Orlando Pirates. He was famous for his bravery and determination. He was stabbed 27 times by thugs on March 23, 1985, during a live televised match at Ellis Park Stadium but still survived. The Pirates faced off against Jomo Cosmos.

But tragedy struck again when he was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman later despite pulling through in the first attack that was life-threatening.

Marc Batchelor

Marc Batchelor. Photo/ESPN Africa

In July 2019, Marc Batchelor, a former striker for the Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns, was shot dead close to his Johannesburg residence.

According to police spokesperson Col. Lungelo Dlamini, two men on a motorbike attacked and shot him. He died on the spot and they fled.

Aaron Makhathini

Former South African defender Aaron Makhathini, lost his life during the brutal football split of 1985. Makhathini was a bright footballer who South Africa had a lot of hope in but he tragically passed on.

Makhathini was shot and killed outside his Pimville house shortly after a training session.

Ewert Nene

Ewert Nene died on August 10, 1976. Nene was followed by thugs as he strolled along a KwaThema street, where they fatally stabbed him. The incident was motivated by Nene’s involvement in the Pilkington United Brothers recruitment of Nelson “Teenage” Dladla, a move that infuriated many who opposed the transfer.

Nene was popular for his witty banter and captivating demeanour that he was nicknamed ‘The Lip’. He idolized the legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali