Footballer Divine Lunga Survives Shooting in Johannesburg

Divine Lunga, a 31-year-old Zimbabwean footballer who plays for South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, was unharmed when gunmen fired on his car in the Hillbrow neighborhood of Johannesburg on Sunday BBC.

Lunga was driving through the inner-city area when the attack happened. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that the South African Police Service opened a case of attempted murder. No arrests have been made so far BBC.

The Citizen newspaper reported — and the BBC cited this account — that Lunga was heading to church with his younger brother. According to The Citizen, the shooter may have mistaken Lunga for an undercover police officer before opening fire BBC. Police have not independently confirmed the shooter's motive, and the investigation is still underway.

Hillbrow has been one of Johannesburg's most crime-affected districts for decades. This reputation grew after white flight and business disinvestment in the years following apartheid's end. Mistaken-identity shootings tied to perceived police officers do occur in South African crime reports, though at this stage only The Citizen's sources — not confirmed police findings — point to the shooter's motive.

Lunga is a regular starter for Mamelodi Sundowns, which has been the strongest force in South African football for the past ten years. He also plays regularly for Zimbabwe's national team. Both countries follow him closely, which is why the shooting has drawn attention beyond typical local crime coverage.

Foreign nationals and high-profile athletes in South Africa's major cities face ongoing safety concerns. Johannesburg and Gauteng province around it have elevated rates of violent crime compared to neighboring countries in the region, according to police crime statistics. For a club like Sundowns — which recruits many players from across southern Africa — keeping athletes safe in cities is a routine operational worry, not a new one.

Police have not released details on the attacker's identity or confirmed motive. There is no announced timeline for the investigation. Mamelodi Sundowns and the Zimbabwe Football Association have not issued public statements yet. Given Lunga's status with both his club and country, statements from either organization or updates from South African police as the inquiry continues would be the natural developments to follow.