Marc Batchelor dead: South African former footballer shot dead in car in Johannesburg

A former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs player, Batchelor was gunned down in his car while in the Olivedale suburb

Marc Batchelor was shot dead in Johannesburg (AFP/Getty)

South African former footballer Marc Batchelor has been shot dead in Johannesburg.

Formerly of Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, Batchelor was gunned down while in his BMW in the Olivedale suburb.

Batchelor’s assailants are reported to have pulled up alongside his car on the back of motorcycles before opening fire on the driver’s side, with up to four suspects being sort by police as part of a newly-opened murder investigation.

Pictures from the scene reportedly showed Batchelor’s car peppered with bullet holes, with the motive remaining unclear.

“He was attacked by two men who were driving a motorbike,” a police spokesman Col Lungelo Dlamini told South African Broadcasting Corporation.

“He was about to drive into his premises. The suspects shot several times at him.”

“He died inside the car and they drove away without taking anything.

“At this stage, we are still investigating what the motive for the attack was and these suspects have not yet been identified.”

Batchelor enjoyed a fine career in South Africa

The incident took place on Monday evening at around 6pm local time.

A gardener was travelling alongside Batchelor, yet escaped unharmed.