A South African footballer and Olympian has been killed in a hijacking in South Africa, the player’s club has said.

Luke Fleurs, a 24-year-old defender for Kaizer Chiefs, was shot at a petrol station in Johannesburg, according to police.

“Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg,” Kaizer Chiefs said in a statement.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

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The attackers fled with Mr Fleurs’s vehicle and police are investigating a case of murder and car hijacking, according to police spokesperson Mavela Masondo.

Mr Fleurs previously played for the national under-23s side, representing South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics.

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He is the latest among thousands of people who fell victim to fatal hijackings in the country, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Some 5,973 hijacking cases were reported from October to December last year, the latest official crime statistics show.

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