Thousands Mourn Lucky Dube

Thousands of music fans and a large number of musicians last Sunday bid farewell to South Africa's top reggae star, Lucky Dube, who was shot dead in front of his children in a Johannesburg suburb on October 18.

The musician was buried in his garden in a private family ceremony.

Musicians across the continent and members of the African Shembe Christian Church, of which Dube was a member, were among those who thronged his rural home of Ingogo Village for his funeral.

They sang hymns and paid tribute to South Africa's biggest-selling reggae singer and one of the country's most successful artistes.

The death of Dube stunned a nation already traumatised by one of the world's worst violent crime levels and prompted widespread calls for a dramatic police crackdown on criminals.

Lucky, before his death, had recorded over 22 music albums in his career and won over 20 awards locally and internationally.

His wife Zanele and children broke down in tears as one of Dube's best-known songs played over the loudspeaker at the public ceremony on his farm near the remote village of Ingogo, about 250km (160 miles) southeast of Johannesburg.

In a related development, a South African court has ordered the remand of four suspects accused of killing Lucky Dube in custody without bail, after they made their first appearance in a court packed with music fans.

The suspects are facing charges of murder, attempted hijacking and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The suspects, Sifiso Mlanga, Julius Gxowa, Thabo Mafoping and Mbofi Mabe were heckled as they were led back into the holding cells at the magistrate court in Johannesburg.

Two of the suspects who are Mozambicans would appear in the same court on October 30 to have their applications for legal aid processed.

By George Clifford Owusu