Kaizer Chiefs and Luke Fleurs family welcome suspect arrests

The South African Police Service confirmed that the six suspects, some of whom had previously been arrested for similar robbery cases, were arrested earlier this week.

READ: Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs killed in hijacking

Fleurs’ father, speaking after the memorial service at FNB Stadium on Thursday, said the arrests have brought some relief to the family and he can’t wait to see his son’s killers at the Roodepoort Magistrate Court, where they are due to appear on Friday.

"Than you guys very much to everybody for the prayers and also to the SAPS for moving so swiftly in getting the perpetrators, and I can't wait to see them [in court]. I definitely want to see who the people are that were involved in taking my son away from us all," said Fleurs Sr.

"Not just for us as the Fleurs family and friends, but the whole of South Africa and abroad. There are many religious organisations and people praying from all over the world."

The six suspects, aged between 26 and 37, were found in Soweto in possession of Fleurs’ stripped car, car keys, and cellphones. 

Fleurs’ father also reflected on some of the signs and wonders the family experienced, which have brought so much hope in their time of hurt and sorrow.

"There's just so many [signs]. For instance, my wife's sister read a scripture in Cape Town and I was writing something down here in Jo'burg, and when we came together, we didn't see each other's write-ups, and it was both the same," he shared.

"Many things, even when he was laying there, I saw a butterfly in a place where there's supposed to be no butterflies, so these kinds of things just made us feel good that he is in a good space at this time."

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Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior says, with the history of many other criminal cases in the country, it’s a massive relief that the police have managed to apprehend the suspected killers within the space of a week.

"It is a massive relief. To be very fair, having seen cases that have gone before, people lose their lives, and disappear into the darkness, no one knows what's happening," said Kaizer Jr.

"There's countless cases that we know of where perpetrators are only caught years after, if ever, so I think a massive thank you to the authorities, they really have shown that no criminal will hide, and that they can find you anywhere.

"I think their speedy work, working together with all the different stakeholders who really pieced this together, and to apprehend them as soon as they have has been a massive testament that we can do something against this scurge.

"Crime is one thing, whether you're involved in football or whatever job you do, it affects all our families, and I think this does show that we are able to fight back."