Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Service for SA's shot reggae star


Lucky Dube had sung about his country's terrible crime problem

Friends and family of the murdered South African reggae star Lucky Dube are gathering in Johannesburg for a memorial service and protest march.

The singer was gunned down late last week in what police described as a botched car hijacking attempt.

The protesters are demanding tougher government action to end the country's wave of violent crime.

Lucky Dube was a reggae music icon and one of South Africa's most loved and respected stars.

Lamented

It was a cruel irony that a singer who used his music to call attention to social injustices and corruption should himself be a victim of South Africa's violent crime.

Dube, 43, was killed on 18 October in a Johannesburg suburb as he dropped off his two teenage children at a relative's home.

Police have arrested five men in connection with last week's killing.

They are due in court later on Wednesday.

Lucky Dube's murder was lamented by South African President Thabo Mbeki and by thousands of fans across the world.

Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour said his murder posed "a big question to which the South African authorities must provide answers", reported AFP news agency.

Our correspondent says South Africa's crime wave cost an estimated 20,000 lives in the past year.

The protest has been timed to coincide with Wednesday's memorial service.

Dube's funeral will be held on Sunday as his family say they want a small and dignified ceremony.

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