Divine Lunga, the Zimbabwe international and defender for Mamelodi Sundowns, has escaped unharmed after his vehicle came under gunfire in Johannesburg, according to South African police. The 31-year-old footballer was reportedly driving through the inner-city suburb of Hillbrow on Sunday with his younger brother when an unidentified gunman opened fire on their vehicle. Both men escaped without injuries. South African police have opened an attempted murder investigation. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that no arrests had been made and that investigations into the motive behind the attack were ongoing. Local media reported that Lunga was on his way to church when the shooting occurred. Preliminary reports suggest the attacker may have mistakenly identified his vehicle as belonging to an undercover police officer, although authorities have not officially confirmed that claim.
Lunga is a key player for Zimbabwe’s national football team, the Zimbabwe national football team, earning 21 international caps and representing the country during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Since joining Mamelodi Sundowns in 2021, the defender has helped the South African giants win four Premier Soccer League titles and played a key role in the club’s second CAF Champions League triumph in May. Neither Mamelodi Sundowns nor the Zimbabwe Football Association has issued an official statement on the incident. However, the Warriors’ official social media account shared a photo of Lunga in prayer with the message, “In God we trust,” expressing support for the player. The incident comes as South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violent crime, with the country recording one of the highest homicide rates globally.
