JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — A suspect has been charged with the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, South Africa’s national soccer team captain, authorities said Friday.
The suspect, 25-year-old Zenokuhle Mbatha, will be held in custody until his next court appearance on Nov. 11, according to the Twitter account of the South African police force.
The suspect also faces a charge of armed robbery, said Nathi Mncube, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority.
Meyiwa, a goalkeeper for South Africa and club team Orlando Pirates, was fatally shot Sunday night in an apparent house robbery. His death in Vosloorus township near Johannesburg led to an outpouring of dismay and anger in South Africa, which has a high murder rate.
Authorities said three suspects were involved in the break-in that led to Meyiwa’s death. Police launched a manhunt and offered a reward of nearly $23,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Meyiwa’s killers.
The arrested suspect, Mbatha, was identified in a police lineup on Thursday, according to police.
South African officials on Thursday called for a strict new gun law as a tribute to Meyiwa, who was a goalkeeper. The calls were made at a memorial service to honour Meyiwa, Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, who died in a car crash, and welterweight female boxer Phindile Mwelase, who died after being in a coma following a bout.
All three sporting figures will be buried in their hometowns over the weekend.