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South Africa’s gun violence and public personalities

Following yesterday’s violent death of Bafana Bafana skipper, Senzo Meyiwa, the issue of gun violence in the country has again appeared in the public consciousness.

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Yet Menziwa was not the first public personality to suffer such a fate. Post-apartheid South Africa has often been praised for its very liberal democracy but it seems that comes at a price.

According to Crime Stats SA, 16914 murders have been recorded this year alone. This is already 700 more than last year.

But it’s not just the ordinary man-on-the-street who is affected by violent crime. Here’s a short list of some prominent South Africans who met their ends through the country’s gun violence.

Lucky Dube (3 August 1964 – 18 October 2007)

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Lucky Dube. Photo: The Star

Lucky Dube. Photo: The Star

Popular reggae artist, Lucky Dube, met his end in a botched hijacking where three men tried to forcefully take his car after he dropped of his two children in Rosettenville, Johannesburg.

Senzo Meyiwa (24 September 1987 – 26 October 2014)

Orlando Pirates captain and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was gunned down in a botched armed robbery on Sunday in South Africa. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates captain and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was gunned down in a botched armed robbery on Sunday in South Africa. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

South Africa is still reeling in shock from the untimely death of Senzo Meyiwa on Sunday. It is believed that the armed robbers who ended his life, cutting short a promising football career, wanted to take his cellphone.

Solly Tyibilika (23 June 1979 – 13 November 2011)

 Former Springbok rugby player Solly Tyibilika was shot dead in Cape Town, 2011. Photo: SAPA

Former Springbok rugby player Solly Tyibilika was shot dead in Cape Town, 2011. Photo: SAPA

Solly Tyibilika, a promising former-Springbok rugby player was shot at close range while enjoying a drink with friends at a Cape Town pub.

His death shocked the nation, a month after the athlete was arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm.

Reeva Steenkamp (19 August 1983 – 14 February 2013)

Reeva Steenkamp was killed by her athlete partner, Oscar Pistorius, in February 2013. Photo: Lucky Nxumalo/AFP/Getty Images

Reeva Steenkamp was killed by her athlete partner, Oscar Pistorius, in February 2013. Photo: Lucky Nxumalo/AFP/Getty Images

The victim of paralympian, Oscar Pistorius’s famous Valentine’s Day 2013 shooting, Reeva Steenkamp was a model dating the fallen star at the time of her death. The ensuing court trial was televised live and became news worldwide, culminating in a culpable homicide verdict for Pistorius.

Brett Kebble (19 February 1964 – 27 September 2005)

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Brett Kebble was shot down in what is believed to have been an assisted suicide in 2005. Photo: Gallo

Brett Kebble was shot down in what is believed to have been an assisted suicide in 2005. Photo: Gallo

Brett Kebble was a politically-connected mining magnate and philathropist who died in his car after being shot at an in intersection in Johannesburg.

His death, which is now believed to have been an assisted suicide, blew the lid open on South Africa’s murky underworld and eventually led to the conviction of the then-police Commisioner, Jackie Selebi’s conviction for his association with known nefarious characters.

Brett Goldin (21 October 1977 – 16 April 2006)

Film actor, Brett Goldin, was died execution-style in 2006.

Film actor, Brett Goldin, was killed execution-style in 2006.

Brett Goldin was a TV, film and theatre actor who became known for his role in local comedy film Crazy Monkey Presents Straight Outta Benoni.

He was murdered execution-style alongside a friend, Richard Bloom, in April 2006.

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