Dube murder case postponed Khethiwe Mabena Published:Nov 04, 2008

No judge available so accused will face justice only next year

PAT Dube buried his head in his hands when he saw the three men accused of murdering his famous reggae star brother, Lucky Dube, strolling into the Johannesburg High Court yesterday.

“It just kills me to see these men. I feel really bad,” said Dube yesterday after the case was postponed to next year.

Sifiso Mhlanga, 32, of Vosloorus, Mozambican Ludwa Gxowa, 30, and Mbuti Mabe, 29, of Katlehong, Germiston, looked dishevelled before Acting Judge Ndawoyakhe Tshabalala.

The case was postponed to February 2. The trio are yet to plead to charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Dube was shot dead in a botched hijacking in Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg, on the night of October 18 last year, while dropping off his teenage son and daughter at a friend’s home.

Among the people who crammed the public gallery were Dube’s mother-in-law, Hlali Moukangoe, his backing vocalist, Thuthukani Cele, and his manager Mandla Nene.

Prosecutor Lethabo Mashiane told the court that he was not in a position to proceed with the trial because no judge was available to preside.

The indictment outlines the movements of the accused before Dube’s murder.

They allegedly hijacked Melissa Ann Mallworth and took her VW Polo in Brackenhurst, near Rosettenville, on October 13 last year.

Dube was allegedly the gang’s next victim, five days later.

He was shot dead when a group of men tried to hijack him and steal his car, a Chrysler, which was allegedly to be sold in Mozambique.

That same night, the men allegedly robbed Siphiwe Mlaba of his Mercedes Benz C200 near Jules and Jeppe streets, in the Johannesburg CBD.

Members of Dube’s One People Band were also present.

The accused were remanded in custody.

South African reggae singer, Lucky Dube, was shot and killed in suburban Johannesburg, the apparent victim of a carjacking.

Lucky Dube started off singing in traditional South African style, but turned to the appealing rhythms of reggae, which he thought could better convey his social commentary.

Hear more of what happened and his music.

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How he got his name.

Lucky Philip Dube was born on the 3rd of August in 1964. After a few failed pregnancy attempts by his mother Sarah, Lucky came into the world. Giving birth to a boy was considered a blessing and his mother considered his birth so fortunate that she aptly named him 'Lucky'.

Early influences.

Lucky began working at the age most western children enter school. He worked for a few years before joining a school himself out of necessity to provide for the family. He began by working in gardens around the white suburbs in the town.

By chance one day Lucky stumbled across some musical instruments at school in a cupboard and his curiosity was piqued. He and some friends decided to start experimenting and before long they had arranged times to meet and 'borrow' the instruments. The formed what was to be Lucky's first official band - The Skyway Band, and genuinely believed that they would find stardom. Unfortunately that all fell apart when they were discovered playing the instruments by a teacher who locked the instruments away from then on.

Lucky finds Reggae.

His first band, The Love Brothers played a traditional Zulu music known as Mbaqanga. It was not until his fifth album that he tried Reggae. it soon became apparent that the crowds were more responsive to these songs. Lucky and his engineer Richard decided it was time to record a full album of reggae songs and judge the response to that.

What started there set Lucky's career as we all know it in motion.

From luckydubemusic.com

PRESS RELEASE - 23 OCTOBER:

The family wishes to respect Lucky Dube’s final wishes to have a small and dignified funeral. The funeral service at The Farmer’s Hall in New Castle on the 28th October has been canceled.

Anybody who wishes to pay their last respects to Lucky can do so by attending the memorial service at Bassline in New Town on Wednesday 24th October. The memorial service starts at 11: 00 till 15:00.

For any further details or information please contact Miss Lenah Mochoele on 073 285 0167, Mr Arnold Mabunda on 082 894 9099.

Flowers can be delivered to the Slave Promotions offices, Downtown Studios, 2nd Floor 62 Goud Street, Johannesburg.