“On the Way to Church”… Armed attack targets Sun Downs star in broad daylight

Zimbabwean defender Devin Lunga, a South African player for Mamelodi Sundowns, survived an armed attack targeting him in the Hillbrow district of downtown Johannesburg last Sunday in a horrific accident that nearly claimed the life of one of Africa’s most popular football stars.

The BBC, citing local media, reports that the 31-year-old Zimbabwean soccer star was driving his car in the Hillbrow neighborhood of central Johannesburg when an unknown assailant opened fire on his car, but he escaped unharmed in an incident that has sent shockwaves through African sporting circles.

South African newspaper The Citizen reported that Lunga was on his way to church with his younger brother when they were targeted, apparently because he was mistakenly suspected of being an off-duty police officer, an incident that highlights the deteriorating security situation in some Johannesburg neighborhoods.

A South African police spokesman said no arrests had yet been made, stressing that an investigation was underway to establish the identity of the gunman and his motives, at a time when South Africa has seen a marked increase in crime rates, particularly in major urban areas.

Although South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, the broad daylight targeting of a prominent sports star on his way to church has raised widespread concerns about the safety of public figures in the country.

The Zimbabwean international, who has won 31 caps for his country, joined the Pretoria club in 2021, with whom he has won the domestic league three times and more importantly, the African Champions League this season, becoming one of the main pillars of what is considered one of the strongest clubs on the African continent.

Mamelodi Sundowns FC are yet to release any official statement regarding the incident, while everyone awaits an announcement from the club’s management on the security measures that will be put in place to protect its players in the future.

While the Football Association of Zimbabwe posted a photo of Lunga in a prayerful position on their official social media accounts with a brief and pointed comment: “In God we believe,” in a message that reflects shock and gratitude that the player survived this horrific accident.