Divine Lunga was driving through the Johannesburg suburb of Hillbrow on his way to church when an unknown gunman opened fire on his car, apparently mistaking the footballer for an undercover police officer.
The 31-year-old Zimbabwe international escaped unharmed, but the attack has left South African police investigating a case of attempted murder. No arrests have been made so far, according to police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko.
“Zimbabwean footballer Divine Lunga escaped unharmed after a gunman fired at his car in Johannesburg.”
Lunga, who plays for both Zimbabwe’s national team and top South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, was travelling with his younger brother when the suspect fired at their vehicle, South African publication The Citizen reported. The pair were heading to church in Hillbrow, a densely populated inner-city area.
The shooting comes amid South Africa’s struggle with violent crime; the country has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Police have not released further details.
Lunga has played 21 times for Zimbabwe, featuring in the squad for the Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The defender joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2021 and has helped them win four domestic league titles as well as the African Champions League in May.
Neither the club nor the national team have commented on the incident, but the Warriors – as Zimbabwe’s national side is known – posted a picture of Lunga in a prayer position on social media, with the caption “In God we trust” alongside his name.
For now, the footballer is safe, but the search for his attacker continues.