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The South African police on Monday said they have established a multi-disciplinarian team to investigate the murder of the South African National Football Team captain, Senzo Meyiwa.
Meyiwa was gunned down on Sunday night at his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo's house in Johannesburg.
"A multi-disciplinary task team has been established to investigate the crime. We are appealing sincerely to the public to assist with the case. We believe someone, somewhere, somehow knows something about this crime," said Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega when addressing the media on Monday.
Phiyega said they are offering 250,000 rand (about 22,864 U.S. dollars) for anyone with the information about the murder, but not offering the reward or giving the case a preferential treatment because it's a well-known person involved. Instead, she said the offense took place at night and they considered the complexity of the case in making a reward.
"The complexity of this case makes it difficult for us to trace or investigate this case. This type of loss is undesirable for our country and doesn't bode well for our image. Such cases have a global appeal," said she, adding that the police promised to get to the bottom of the case.
Phiyega said it was not clear that if the murder was a hit or a contract killing.
Meyiwa's death plunged South Africa into mourning with people expressing shock on social networks.
President Jacob Zuma sent condolence messages to the Meyiwa family Monday.
Zuma said in a statement, "We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career. The law enforcement authorities must leave no stone unturned in finding his killers and bring them to justice. Words cannot express the nation's shock at this loss."
South African Sports and Recreation Minister, Fikile Mbalula also expressed shock at the murder. Addressing a media briefing on Monday morning in Johannesburg, he said, "We have lost a role, patriot and a great winner. He dedicated his life to his teams. Senzo was a tower amongst many. These criminals can run but they can't hide. We will find them."
South African national coach, Shakes Mashaba also said the country has lost a great player. Crying at a press conference, Mashaba said, "We are going to miss Senzo a lot. Let alone his goal-saving skills, he was a team player, he was everything. He carried the team through the Africa Cup."
FIFA president, Sepp Blatter said, "On behalf of the international football community I would like to express my deepest sorrow and anguish at the senseless killing of Senzo Meyiwa." Enditem
