South African police on Tuesday released facial images of two suspects who are wanted for the shooting death of national soccer team captain Senzo Meyiwa.
Police specialists created the images from descriptions provided by witnesses to Sunday’s killing of Meyiwa was a popular figure at home and his death in an apparent house robbery has shocked South Africans accustomed to violent crime.
Meyiwa, a goalkeeper for both South Africa and Premier Soccer League side the Orlando Pirates, is to be buried on Saturday in his home town of Umlazi on the country’s east coast, his club said.
Photo: EPA
Both suspects in the murder have high cheekbones and dreadlocks, according to the images and caption information. One is wearing a hood and the image of the other suspect is shown twice — with a hat and without one. A third suspect was not depicted.
On Sunday night, two of the suspects entered the home of Meyiwa’s girlfriend, actress and singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus Township near Johannesburg and demanded money and cellphones, while a third kept watch outside, according to police and witness accounts.
Meyiwa was hit by a single round in the chest while confronting the intruders, who then fled on foot.
The police have launched a huge operation to find the killers and offered a reward of nearly US$23,000 for information leading to their arrest and conviction.
Top South African sports officials visited Meyiwa’s family in Umlazi on Tuesday to offer their condolences, while the South African Football Association said it had received messages of sympathy from countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Sao Tome and Principe, Egypt and Jordan.
Egyptian club Al Ahly, which beat the Pirates last year to win the CAF Champions League final, said it was saddened by “the tragic loss of such a highly admired player.”
Meyiwa’s funeral this weekend will be partly organized by the local government of Kwazulu-Natal Province, the Pirates said.
Meyiwa’s funeral will be held on the same day as the burials of two other prominent figures in South African sports.
Former 800m world champion and Olympic silver medalist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed on Friday last week in a car crash and female boxer Phindile Mwelase died a day later in a hospital after being in a coma for two weeks following a knockout in a fight.
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