JOHANNESBURG (AP) – South African officials on Thursday called for a strict new gun law as a tribute to a soccer star who was shot and killed earlier this week.
The calls were made at a memorial service to honor three sports figures who died within three days of each other.
South Africa’s sport ministry organized a combined memorial service for fans of national soccer captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, Olympic silver medalist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and welterweight boxer Phindile Mwelase.
The officials called for a law, in the soccer star’s name, to reduce the number of illegal firearms.
“We must take those guns to the furnace and build a statue for Senzo Meyiwa,” said Danny Jordaan, president for the South African Football Association.