The family of slain Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs says it welcomes the arrests made by police on Wednesday in connection with his hijacking and murder.
Luke’s father, Theodore Fleurs, said he is happy that the police swiftly arrested the six suspects for his son’s murder. He said he cannot wait to see the suspects when they make their first court appearance. They are set to appear at the Roodepoort magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Memorial service
Fleurs was speaking on Thursday at Luke’s memorial service held at FNB Stadium outside Soweto, in Johannesburg.
“He [Luke] was a special boy. I told his mother that there is something special about this boy. He was an amazing little boy. We are going to miss him, I wanted to see him running out for Chiefs. I am grateful for the opportunity that Chiefs gave him. Playing for Chiefs is the highest level of football in South Africa. I am super proud of what he has achieved. He was a true warrior for the country.
“I want to thank the SAPS [South African Police Service] for moving swiftly and getting the perpetrators. I cannot wait to see them in court, so that I see the people involved in taking my son away from all of us,” said Fleurs.
The memorial service was attended by current and former Chiefs players, the club’s technical team and club management. Luke’s family and friends, his former teammates at SuperSport United, and officials from the South African Football Association (Safa) were also in attendance.
Gauteng premier in attendance
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi was also in attendance.
Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior applauded the police for the speedy arrests.
He said the club has taken a decision to retire Luke’s number 26 jersey in honour of his memory.
Luke leaves behind his father, mother Simone, elder brother Joshua and sister Sydni.
The star’s funeral will be on April 20 in Cape Town.
Vehicle recovered stripped during arrest of six suspects
They said Luke’s luxury red VW Golf 8 GTI vehicle was recovered on Monday. The vehicle was already stripped.
Police said they believe that the six suspects are part of a syndicate that is responsible for car hijackings in Gauteng. The search for more suspects is continuing.
They will will make their first court appearance at the Roodepoort magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Luke was shot and killed by two armed men during a hijacking. This happened at the Shell petrol station at the Constantia service centre in Florida, Roodepoort, Johannesburg. The incident happened last week Wednesday.
Police said the incident happened around 8:30pm on the corner of Hendrik Potgieter and 14th Avenue.
Victim accosted at petrol station and shot during hijacking
According to police, Luke drove a red VW Golf 8 GTI into the petrol station. While waiting to be served by the petrol attendant, he was confronted by two armed males. The men had come driving a white BMW 1 Series.
The suspects pointed a firearm at him and took him out of his vehicle. They then shot him once on the upper body. One suspect drove off with Luke’s car, followed by his accomplices.
Police said Luke was taken to the nearest medical care centre, where he was certified dead on arrival.
A case of murder and car hijacking was opened for investigation.
Last week, Sunday World exclusively reported how the video footage obtained by police from the petrol station depicts Luke engaging in a fierce battle with the two armed men to stop them from stealing his luxurious red VW Golf 8 GTI.
But it was all in vain, as they fatally shot him at close range in the upper body.
The footage shows four people travelling in a white BMW 1 Series following Fleurs as he drove into the petrol station.
Victim’s passengers unharmed
The four were wearing balaclavas and caps.
Luke was with two other passengers when the murder happened. The two passengers escaped unharmed.
Luke joined Chiefs in October last year after previously playing for SuperSport United.
After weeks training with the Amakhosi, Luke penned a two-year deal with an option to renew it at the end of his contract with the Phefeni Glamour Boys.
