Johannesburg - Police on Monday offered a R150 000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of soccer player Senzo Meyiwa.
“Reward of up to R150 000 is on offer 4 any info that can lead to arrest,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) tweeted.
The 27-year-old Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was shot dead at about 8pm on Sunday.
The incident happened at a house in the Zamo Section in Vosloorus, police said.
“There were 7 people inside the house. Two suspects went into the house, one remained outside. The 3 fled on foot after the shooting,” SAPS tweeted.
No one else was injured.
“We can assure all South Africans that we will do all we can to bring Meyiwa's killers to book,” they said.
Captain of both club and country, Meyiwa played for Orlando Pirates on Saturday at Orlando stadium in their Telkom Knockout 4-1 quarterfinal win over Ajax Cape Town.
Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula said the ministry would be in contact with Meyiwa's family before issuing a full statement.
“The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Minister Fikile Mbalula, has with deep sorrow taken note of widely publicised reports of the passing away of Orlando Pirates and South African goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa,” the ministry said in a brief statement.
“The ministry is currently reaching out to his family and his club and will issue a full statement in due course.”
Meyiwa’s death was also confirmed by the South African Football Association (Safa) on Sunday.
Safa spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi confirmed the 27-year-old had been has been shot dead.
News of Meyiwa’s death spread on social media and several sports figures expressed their shock.
Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk tweeted: "OMG more bad news! @BafanaBafana & @Orlando_Pirates Captain Senzo Meyiwa has been shot dead? I am lost for words! RIP Captain."
Fellow Bafana player Dean Furman tweeted: "Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain & friend Senzo Meyiwa. Thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends at this terrible time."
Former Pirates teammate Andile Jali, now playing in Belgium for K.V. Oostende, said on Twitter that he spoke to Meyiwa earlier on Sunday afternoon. First Jali tweeted : "People of South Africa please tell me this is not true," before tweeting nine minutes later: “Just got a call and I was sleeping but now I can't sleep because of what I just had (sic)." Jali ended with : "I can't believe this now after talking to him this afternoon but y yyyyyyy."
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 morning. - Sapa