Zimbabwean footballer Divine Lunga survived a gun attack in Johannesburg, South African police reported.

The soccer star, 31, was driving through the inner-city suburb of Hillbrow on Sunday when an unknown gunman shot at his car, according to local reports.

Lunga, who plays for both the Zimbabwe national football team and top South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, escaped unharmed.

Crime is a major problem in South Africa and the country has one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said they were investigating a case of attempted murder but no arrests had been made.

He did not provide further details, but South African publication The Citizen said Lunga was on his way to church with his younger brother when they were attacked.

The duo were driving through Hillbrow when the suspect opened fire on their car, apparently mistaking it for an undercover police officer.