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Major hunt for killers of S Africa footballer Senzo Meyiwa Major hunt for killers of S Africa footballer Senzo Meyiwa
(about 1 hour later)
A major manhunt is underway to find the killers of South Africa football captain Senzo Meyiwa, police say. South African police say have launched a major manhunt to find the killers of national football captain Senzo Meyiwa, shot dead by suspected burglars.
They are offering a reward of 250,000 rand (£14,100; $22,800) for information leading to the capture of the suspected burglars who shot him dead. They have offered a reward of 250,000 rand (£14,000; $23,000) for information about the attack, which highlights the country's high rates of violent crime.
Meyiwa was reportedly attacked after men entered his girlfriend's house. Meyiwa, 27, was reportedly shot after men entered his girlfriend's house.
President Jacob Zuma led tributes to the goalkeeper, saying "words cannot express the nation's shock at this loss". President Jacob Zuma led tributes to the goalkeeper, saying "words cannot express the nation's shock".
Police said two men had entered the house in Vosloorus, south of Johannesburg, at around 20:00 (18:00 GMT), demanding mobile phones and valuables. A third man remained outside.Police said two men had entered the house in Vosloorus, south of Johannesburg, at around 20:00 (18:00 GMT), demanding mobile phones and valuables. A third man remained outside.
One of the two was described by police as tall, dark-skinned and slender with dreadlocks, and the other was said to be short, dark-skinned and well-built.One of the two was described by police as tall, dark-skinned and slender with dreadlocks, and the other was said to be short, dark-skinned and well-built.
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega told a press conference that Meyiwa was shot once in the upper body as he moved towards the door. The three men then fled on foot, she said.National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega told a press conference that Meyiwa was shot once in the upper body as he moved towards the door. The three men then fled on foot, she said.
The footballer was declared dead on arrival at hospital.The footballer was declared dead on arrival at hospital.
Ms Phiyega insisted the large reward was not linked to Meyiwa's fame but added it was "important to resolve matters such as this that have global appeal". Relatives and fans gathered at the hospital and at the crime scene outside the home of well-known singer and actress Kelly Khumalo, who Meyiwa had been dating.
Relatives and fans gathered outside the hospital and Ms Khumalo's house to grieve over Meyiwa's death.
South African President Jacob Zuma said in a statement on Monday: "We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career. Words cannot express the nation's shock at this loss."South African President Jacob Zuma said in a statement on Monday: "We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career. Words cannot express the nation's shock at this loss."
National shock - by Milton Nkosi, BBC News, JohannesburgNational shock - by Milton Nkosi, BBC News, Johannesburg
The whole nation is mourning the passing of a national football hero. Radio and TV chat shows are clogged with callers expressing their shock and dismay. And I must declare personal interest right from the onset - Orlando Pirates has been my team since growing up in Soweto. The whole nation is mourning the passing of a national football hero. Radio and TV chat shows are clogged with callers expressing their shock and dismay.
His shooting brings into sharp focus the wider issues of gun crime in South Africa, particularly so soon after the marathon trial of athlete Oscar Pistorius, who says he shot dead his girlfriend by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in the house. His shooting brings into sharp focus the wider issues of gun crime in South Africa, particularly so soon after the trial of athlete Oscar Pistorius, who says he shot dead his girlfriend by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in the house.
South Africa is asking itself deep questions about the cancer of violence that has killed some of its best talent. It was seven years ago this month that renowned reggae singer Lucky Dube was killed in a robbery. The question in many people's minds is: granted there is crime all over the world, but why is it that here in South Africa violence is so gratuitous? South Africa is asking itself deep questions about the cancer of violence that has killed some of its best talent. It was seven years ago this month that renowned reggae singer Lucky Dube was killed in a robbery. The question in many people's minds is: there is crime all over the world, but why is it that here in South Africa violence is so gratuitous?
Who was Senzo Meyiwa?
Meyiwa was 'one of the best goalkeepers in Africa'
'Senzo is everything''Senzo is everything'
Ephraim Mashaba, head coach of South Africa's football team, wept during a news conference called on Monday in response to the footballer's death. Ephraim Mashaba, head coach of South Africa's football team, wept during a news conference on Monday, telling reporters: "Senzo is a team player, Senzo is everything."
Urging Meyiwa's team-mates and colleagues to stay strong, he said: "Senzo is a team player, Senzo is everything."
His words were echoed by South Africa midfielder Dean Furman who told the BBC that Meyiwa was "just the nicest guy you could wish to meet".His words were echoed by South Africa midfielder Dean Furman who told the BBC that Meyiwa was "just the nicest guy you could wish to meet".
Meyiwa's agent Mike Makaab called the death "a huge shock", saying that Meyiwa was "really a hero in everybody's eyes". The player's agent, Mike Makaab, called the death "a huge shock" and said Meyiwa was "really a hero in everybody's eyes".
Gun violence The South African football league has cancelled next weekend's derby between his club, Orlando Pirates, and their rivals Kaiser Chiefs as a mark of respect.
The 27-year-old was the goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates who he joined in 2005 and had played in South Africa's last four Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
His death is the second blow to South Africa's sporting community in three days. On Friday, former 800m world champion runner Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car crash.His death is the second blow to South Africa's sporting community in three days. On Friday, former 800m world champion runner Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car crash.
The shooting has once again highlighted South Africa's high crime rates and problems with gun violence.The shooting has once again highlighted South Africa's high crime rates and problems with gun violence.
Between April 2013 and March 2014, more than 17,000 people were murdered in South Africa, an increase of about 5% since the previous year, according to police figures.Between April 2013 and March 2014, more than 17,000 people were murdered in South Africa, an increase of about 5% since the previous year, according to police figures.
Are you in South Africa? What is your reaction to the death of Senzo Meyiwa? The BBC's Johannesburg correspondent Milton Nkosi will answer your questions in a Twitter Q and A from 1600 GMT (1800 local time). Do you have any questions about gun crime and security in South Africa? You can contact Milton directly via @nkosi_milton or email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Are you in South Africa? What is your reaction to the death of Senzo Meyiwa? You can send your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk