WATCH | Luke Fleurs remembered: 'He was a son of the soil who lived his life to the fullest'

SPORT

Luke Fleurs’ parents led the tribute to their late son and described his laughter as a melody that played even on the darkest days for their family.

Fleurs was killed during a hijacking at a petrol station in Honeydew, Johannesburg, on the evening of Wednesday, 6 April 2024.

The 24-year-old Kaizer Chiefs player was remembered during a memorial service held at the FNB Stadium near Soweto on Thursday.

READ: Gauteng police chief sets up crack team to probe Luke Fleurs murder

Fleurs’ maternal aunt and godmother, Theressa, said their hearts were heavy with sorrow.

She said: “It is so comforting to know that Luke belonged to such a beautiful family. Kaizer Chiefs, you are such a beautiful family. We came here to celebrate a life that was tragically cut short but a life that was lived to the absolute fullest. The life of a son of the soil who was fondly known to us as baby Luke, a name lovingly given to him by his mother, Simonne.

Theressa added: “Let us not remember him with sadness, but with the joy he brought into our lives.”

Luke’s father, Theo, said he knew from when his son was four years old that he had a future in professional football.

The grieving father thanked the SA Police Service and everyone who played a role in the arrest of six people for Fleurs’s murder last Wednesday.

He remembered Luke’s youth days when he would promise his son - who started as a striker - R10 for every goal he scored.

Theo said: 

In a statement sent to City Press last Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo had said that a team of detectives was appointed by Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni to speedily trace and arrest the suspects, who allegedly hijacked and killed the defender at a filling station.

The suspects are set to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Theo said he was overjoyed with emotions when the police phoned him to inform him of the arrests.

READ: Breakthrough in the murder of Chiefs player Luke Fleurs

“Big thank you to the police who were able to nab the assailants as soon as they did. Thanks to everybody who prayed for us as a family and to the wonderful family of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club."

Fleurs was born and bred in Westridge, Mitchells Plain, outside Cape Town.

He will be buried in his home province. Details of his burial will be published as soon as they are received.

The memorial service was attended by Amakhosi past and present players, Fleur’s former team-mates at SuperSport United, as well as Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.