Senzo Meyiwa as Orlando Pirates fans will remember him... (Gallo Images)
Cape Town - Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa has died after being shot.
Details are vague at present, but it has been confirmed that Meyiwa died from a gunshot wound.
According to unconfirmed reports, Meyiwa was at his girlfriend's home in Vosloorus when a man demanded his cellphone and opened fire. Meyiwa was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Meyiwa was in action on Saturday night when he helped the Buccaneers defeat Ajax Cape Town 4-1 at the Orlando Stadium in their Telkom Knockout quarter-final.
He had been a star for Bafana Bafana in recent months, and in the four AFCON qualifiers played to date he was yet to concede a goal, and captained the team in the absence of regular 'keeper and skipper, Itumeleng Khune.
“We have to brake (sic) normal protocol. We can confirm that Bucs keeper Senzo Meyiwa has been shot and sadly declared dead on arrival at hospital,” said the SA Police Services official Twitter feed.
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 incident happened at around 20h00, Zamo Section in Vosloorus. Reward of up to R150 000 is on offer 4 any info that can lead to arrest, the SA Police Services confirmed.
Sport24 sends its condolences to the friends and family and supporters of Meyiwa and Orlando Pirates.
It was the second death of a South African sportsman in a matter of days, after former 800m Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car crash on Friday.
Meyiwa's national team-mates Dean Furman and Andile Jali were quick to tweet their condolences.
Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain & friend Senzo Meyiwa. thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends at this terrible time.
— Dean Furman (@de4no22) October 26, 2014
Just got a call and I was sleeping but now I can't sleep because of what I just had ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— aj15jali (@andilejali870) October 26, 2014
- Friends, fans and family of Senzo Meyiwa are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.