Zimbabwe international Divine Lunga has survived a gun attack in Johannesburg, becoming the latest high profile figure caught up in growing security concerns in South Africa following renewed incidents of violence against foreign nationals.
The 31-year-old defender, who represents both Zimbabwe and South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle while travelling through the inner-city suburb of Hillbrow on Sunday.
South African police have opened an attempted murder investigation, although no arrests have been made.
Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that detectives are investigating the shooting but did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
According to local reports, Lunga was travelling to church with his younger brother when the incident occurred. The gunman allegedly fired at their vehicle after mistakenly believing the footballer was an undercover police officer.
The incident comes at a sensitive time for South Africa, where recent attacks on foreign nationals have reignited debate over xenophobic violence and public safety.
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Over the past several weeks, tensions have risen following a series of attacks that prompted condemnation from neighboring African governments, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana. While South African authorities have insisted the incidents are isolated criminal acts rather than widespread xenophobic violence, critics argue that recurring attacks against foreign nationals reflect a deeper and longstanding problem.
Although there is currently no evidence linking Sunday’s shooting directly to xenophobia, the attack has inevitably drawn renewed attention to the security challenges facing foreign citizens living and working in South Africa.
Lunga is one of Zimbabwe’s most recognizable footballers, having earned 21 international caps for the Warriors while also featuring during the country’s qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Since joining Mamelodi Sundowns in 2021, the left back has established himself as one of the Premier Soccer League’s leading defenders, helping the Pretoria-based club secure four consecutive league titles as well as the CAF Champions League crown in May.
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Neither Mamelodi Sundowns nor the Zimbabwe Football Association has issued an official statement on the shooting at the time of this report.
However, the Warriors offered a subtle show of support on social media by posting an image of Lunga in a prayer position alongside the message: “In God we trust.”
