Thousands mourn death of South African goalkeeper Meyiwa
The funeral of South African footballer Senzo Meyiwa packs out a stadium in Durban, after he was shot at his mistress’s house.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper and national captain was shot on Sunday in what appeared to have been an attempted robbery at his girlfriend’s house in Johannesburg.
The funeral took place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a short distance from the Umhlazi town where Meyiwa was born.
Most of the crowd wore the red and black colours of the Orlando Pirates, the club Meyiwa played for. Others wore the yellow shirts of the Kaizer Chiefs, the main rivals of the Orlando Pirates.
Team mates and mourners wiped away tears as they watched video clips showing father-of-three Meyiwa training, diving to make saves, or pumping his arms in celebration of a win.
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President Zuma ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast on Saturday to honour the goalkeeper.
Gun violence
The shooting has again highlighted the issue of gun violence in South Africa. Meyiwa’s death came days after Oscar Pistorius was jailed for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after apparently mistaking her for an intruder.
After news of Meyiwa’s death, South African number two goalkeeper Darren Keet tweeted: “When does it STOP South Africa?”
The country remains one of the world’s most violent, although the murder rate been dropping gradually. Police recorded more than 17,000 murders last year, or 31 per 100,000 people – seven times the rate in the United States.
One suspect for the murder, Zanokuhle Mbatha, has been arrested after being picked out at an identity parade by witnesses. The 25-year-old appeared in court on Friday and will reappear on 11 November.