Lucky Dube was one of the most influential and popular reggae musicians in Africa and the world. He was known for his powerful voice, his socially conscious lyrics, and his Rastafarian faith. He recorded 22 albums in a 25-year period and won several awards, including the Best Selling African Musician prize at the 1996 World Music Awards. He was also a loving father of seven children and a devoted husband to his wife Thobekile Ngcobo.
However, his life was tragically cut short on October 18, 2007, when he was shot dead by a group of carjackers in Rosettenville, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. He was 43 years old at the time of his death. His murder shocked and saddened millions of fans around the world, who mourned the loss of a great artist and a humanitarian.
The Night of the Murder
According to South African police, Dube was killed in Rosettenville moments after he dropped two of his children at their uncle’s house. On his way from dropping his children off, he was attacked by carjackers who were apparently after the Chrysler 300c he was driving. The carjackers fired two shots at Dube, hitting him in the chest and the neck. Dube tried to drive off but he crashed his car into a tree and died on the spot.
The carjackers fled the scene without taking the car or anything else from Dube. They left behind a damaged VW Polo that they had used to follow Dube. The police later found out that the Polo had been stolen earlier that day from another victim of a hijacking.
The Investigation and Trial
The police launched a massive manhunt for the killers, offering a reward of R150,000 for any information that could lead to their arrest. They also appealed to the public to come forward with any eyewitness accounts or CCTV footage of the incident. Within a week, they arrested five suspects: S’fiso Mhlanga, Ludwe Gxowa, Mbuti Mabe, Thabo Maruping, and Julius Gxowa.
The five men were charged with murder, robbery, attempted robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. They pleaded not guilty and claimed that they had nothing to do with Dube’s death. They said that they were either at home or elsewhere at the time of the shooting.
However, their alibis were contradicted by several witnesses who identified them as the perpetrators. One of them was Mpho Maruping, the wife of Thabo Maruping. She testified that her husband had confessed his involvement in Dube’s botched hijacking and gave her details on what led to the superstar’s death. She also said that her husband and the other accused had returned to the scene of the crime an hour later to see if anyone recognised them.
Another witness was a security guard who saw the carjackers chasing Dube’s car and heard the gunshots. He also recognised Mhlanga as one of the men who had robbed him at gunpoint a few days before Dube’s murder.
The prosecution also presented forensic evidence that linked the accused to the crime scene. They found fingerprints and DNA samples from Mhlanga and Ludwe Gxowa on the VW Polo and on a shotgun that was used to kill Dube. They also found gunshot residue on their clothes and hands.
The trial lasted for more than a year and was marked by several delays and disruptions. The defence lawyers tried to cast doubt on the credibility and reliability of the witnesses and the evidence. They also accused the police of tampering with the investigation and planting evidence to frame their clients.
However, on March 31, 2009, Judge Seun Moshidi found all five men guilty of all charges. He said that he was satisfied that they had acted with common purpose and intention to rob and kill Dube. He also said that they had shown no remorse or respect for human life.
On April 2, 2009, he sentenced them to life imprisonment each for murder, plus additional terms for robbery, attempted robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.
The Legacy of Lucky Dube
Lucky Dube’s death was not only a loss for his family and friends but also for his fans and admirers across the world. He was widely regarded as one of the best reggae artists of all time and an ambassador of African culture and music. He was also a voice for peace, justice, and freedom in a continent plagued by poverty, violence, and oppression.
His music touched many hearts and inspired many people to stand up for their rights and dignity. His songs addressed issues such as apartheid, racism, corruption, HIV/AIDS, war, crime, violence against women, and environmental degradation. He also celebrated the beauty and diversity of Africa and its people.
His music lives on through his albums, videos, and performances. His songs are still played on radio stations, TV channels, and online platforms. His fans still sing along to his lyrics and dance to his rhythms. His legacy is also carried on by his children, some of whom have followed in his footsteps and pursued careers in music.
Lucky Dube was a legend in life and in death. He was a lucky man who shared his luck with the world. He was a lucky dube who made the world a better place.
