What began as an ordinary trip to church turned into a frightening ordeal for Zimbabwe international Divine Lunga after gunfire erupted and struck his vehicle in Johannesburg, leaving the footballer and his younger brother shaken but unharmed. Police have since launched an attempted murder investigation as they work to establish who was behind the attack and why it happened.
The incident took place on Sunday in Hillbrow, an inner-city suburb of Johannesburg, where the 31-year-old defender was driving when an unknown gunman opened fire on his car, according to local reports. Lunga escaped without injuries.
South African police confirmed that an attempted murder case had been opened following the shooting, adding that no arrests had been made.
Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said investigators were handling the case but did not give any further details.
South African publication The Citizen reported that Lunga and his younger brother were heading to church when they came under attack. The report said the suspect allegedly mistook the Zimbabwean footballer for an undercover police officer before firing at the vehicle as it passed through Hillbrow.
The shooting comes against the backdrop of South Africa's ongoing struggle with violent crime, with the country recording one of the highest murder rates in the world.
Lunga has earned 21 caps for Zimbabwe and was part of the squad that featured in the Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
Since joining Mamelodi Sundowns in 2021, the defender has helped the South African club win four league titles. He also played a role in the team's triumph in the African Champions League in May, when the club lifted its second continental crown.
Neither Mamelodi Sundowns nor Zimbabwe's national football team has commented on the incident. However, the Warriors shared a picture of Lunga in a prayer position with the words, "In God we trust" alongside his name.