Former soccer player and TV presenter Marc Batchelor has been shot dead by unknown assailants outside his home in Johannesburg. Police spokesperson Lt-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini has confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
“Police are investigating a murder case after a former soccer player, Mark Bachelor (sic), was attacked by two men driving a motorbike in Olivedale outside his house. He was shot several times and died inside his vehicle,” a police statement read.
“The suspects then drove away without taking anything. The motive for the attack is still unknown. No one has been arrested.”
It is believed that Batchelor had close ties to a number of underworld figures and counts Mikey Schultz and Nafiz Modack among his friends.
'FRIENDS': Marc Batchelor consider accused murderer Mikey Schultz and underground kingpin Nafiz Modack his friends. Photo: Dumisani Sibeko.
Batchelor, who had also worked as an analyst and a TV presenter was involved in a number of business ventures since his retirement from the beautiful game.
The former Kaizer Chiefs striker was a colourful character who was involved in a number of highly publicised altercations over the years.
He made an appearance as a witness in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial where he testified about the former Paralympian's temper.
TESTIFY: Marc Batchelor looks on in the Oscar Pistorius trial where he came forward as a witness. File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko.
Pistorius had a run-in with a friend of Batchelor's who the athlete suspected of being romantically linked to his then-girlfriend model Reeva Steenkamp.
Developments have revealed that the soccer star's wife was inside the house at the time.
"We understand that his wife was home at the time but we can't confirm if the children were inside house too. The deceased was just outside the house and driving in when he was shot," provincial police spokesman Colonel Dlamini confirmed
SCENE: Pathologist investigate the crime scene were former soccer player and TV presenter Mark Batchelor was killed. Photo: Itumeleng English/ANA.
"The deceased was travelling with his gardener who was not injured in the attack, we have obtained a statement from him. We are following leads on the two suspects who were on the motorbike who shot him. He was shot several times on the upper body while inside his car."
Dlamini said they would also be checking CCTV cameras in the area for more clues and also appealed to people who might have information on the shooting to come forward.
IOL