Suspect in killing of S.Africa national soccer captain arrested

Reuters
South African goalkeepers Senzo Meyiwa (L) and Itumeleng Khune look on at the end of their international friendly soccer match against Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, in this November 19, 2013 file picture. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/Files

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A suspect in the killing of the captain of South Africa's national soccer team has been arrested, a spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority said on Friday. Spokesman Nathi Mncube said the suspect, Zanokuhle Mbatha, had made a brief appearance in the Boksburg Magistrate court east of Johannesburg. The case was postponed until Nov. 11. National soccer star Senzo Meyiwa was hit by a single round in the chest on Sunday night while confronting two intruders at the home of his girlfriend, actress and singer Kelly Khumalo. He will be buried on Saturday and his death has highlighted the phenomenon of gun violence in South Africa, coming just days after disabled track star Oscar Pistorius was jailed for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Meyiwa, 27, who also played for professional club Orlando Pirates, had legions of fans in sports-mad South Africa and police, under huge public and political pressure, have launched a massive hunt for his killers.