Zimbabwean star survives gun attack in Johannesburg

Sun Sep 06 2026 00:37:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Footballer Divine Lunga escapes an armed assault in Hillbrow, leaving police probing a rash homicide. The incident recalls South Africa’s violent crime crisis.

Zimbabwe’s national team striker Divine Lunga was spared a fatal gun ambush when he and his brother were driving through Johannesburg’s Hillbrow on Sunday. Police say the attack was mistaken for a police operation, resulting in an attempted murder case under investigation. Despite the gunfire, the star emerged uninjured, sparking a broader conversation about the country’s escalating crime rates.

Zimbabwean star survives gun attack in Johannesburg

Zimbabwe national footballer Divine Lunga escaped an armed attack in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow suburb on Sunday, according to local police.

The 31‑year‑old was driving with his younger brother on a route to church when a gunman opened fire on their vehicle, mistakenly thinking they were undercover officers. The shots ricocheted off the car’s windows, but the driver was unharmed.

South African police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the incident was being treated as an attempted murder. No arrests have been made yet, and investigations are ongoing.

The attack underscores South Africa’s high murder and violence rates, a longstanding concern that has drawn protests and demands for stronger security.

Lunga, who plays for national team and club Mamelodi Sundowns, is slated for a match later this week – a promise of resilience amid a dangerous backdrop.