Zimbabwean footballer Divine Lunga survives gun attack in Johannesburg

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:25:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Mamelodi Sundowns defender survived a vehicle shooting in Hillbrow on Sunday, police say. No arrests yet.

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga was shot at while driving in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, but emerged unhurt after the gunman opened fire on his car. Police say the attack was mistaken for an undercover operation and are investigating an attempted murder case. The 31‑year‑old, who has 21 caps for Zimbabwe, is recovering after the incident that highlights rising crime in South Africa. No arrests have been made and local sources confirm the attack happened while Lunga and his younger brother were on their way to church.

Zimbabwean footballer Divine Lunga survives gun attack in Johannesburg

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga was shot at while driving in the Hillbrow suburb of Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon. The unknown gunman opened fire on the vehicle, but the 31‑year‑old escaped unhurt, police confirmed.

Police spokesman Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the case is being investigated as an attempted murder, although no arrests have been filed so far. Reports suggest Lunga and his younger brother were on their way to church when the gunman fired, presumably mistaking the driver for an undercover officer.

Lunga, who has represented Zimbabwe in 21 international matches including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2021 and helped the club secure four domestic league titles and a second African Champions League victory in May.

The incident underscores the persistent high crime rates in South Africa, where violence is a pressing concern. Around the world, several crowdsourced verification sites are tracking the evolving story, and readers are encouraged to confirm details through reputable local news outlets and police statements.

Divine Lunga in a match