On Friday, six suspects were formally charged with the murder of Kaizer Chiefs football player Luke Fleurs.
Luke Fleurs murder: Here’s what we know about the suspects
The accused facing charges in the murder of Luke Fleurs include:
- Ndumiso ‘Ndura’ Moswane (26);
- Fernando ‘Nando’ Sive (25);
- Nhlakanipho Dlamini (21);
- Franky Xaba (25);
- Mphahlele Maredi (36); and
- Hlomikhawu Thembinkosi (31).
They are charged with robbery, murder, possession of a firearm, and defeating the ends of justice.
Currently, none of the accused have legal representation and are awaiting the appointment of attorneys through legal aid.
Their custody is extended until the next court date on Friday, 19 April 2024, to allow further investigation into the case.
Kaizer Chiefs to retire Fleurs’ number 26 jersey
In a poignant tribute at Fleurs’s memorial service, Kaizer Chiefs announced plans to retire the jersey number 26, which had been assigned to him.
Fleurs, who had joined the team as a free agent and passed away before making his official debut, will be remembered for his dedication and potential.
Kaizer Motaung Jnr, a former player for the team, expressed that retiring Fleurs’ jersey was an obvious decision aimed at addressing broader societal issues such as crime.
“We really wanted to use this to deal with the bigger problem, which is crime. It’s a reflection of that. We want to make sure that we raise the volume on that. That jersey will be hung up in the changing room, and it’s going to be placed first in our technical centre. His chair will always be left empty,” Motaung Jr said.
Luke Fleurs murder: Here’s what we know so far
The arrest of the six suspects on Wednesday came after a detailed operation by crime intelligence officers in Soweto’s Slovoville area.
According to Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the operation not only led to these arrests but also to the recovery of Fleurs’ stolen red VW Golf 8 GTI. The vehicle was found stripped for parts.
Masondo added that this case ties into a broader crackdown on a syndicate believed to be responsible for numerous car hijackings in the Gauteng region.
Fleurs was last seen alive at a petrol station in northwest Johannesburg, where he was forcibly removed from his vehicle and shot by assailants driving a white BMW 1 Series.
Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The police continue to search for additional suspects linked to this syndicate.
