Son still waiting for Lucky

2007-10-23 22:52

Kim Snyders

Johannesburg - Siyanda, the eight-year-old son of South African reggae legend Lucky Dube, still expects his dad to appear at the front gate every time he hears a car stop outside their house, says Dube's cousin and record producer, Richard Siluma.

Dube's teenage children, who saw him being shot dead in an apparent botched hijacking last Thursday night while he was dropping them off at a friend's house, are receiving counselling.

Family spokesperson Qhunzuli Sithole said the Dubes were still struggling to come to terms with the situation.

"The children still can't talk about it, are struggling to eat and find no joy in anything," Sithole said.

"People around the world are asking what's the point of being such a good person, if you're killed like that in the end? Where's the reward?"

Suspects in court

The four suspects in the murder case made their first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Sifiso Mlanga, Julius Gxowa, Thabo Mafoping and Mbofi Mabi, all aged between 31 and 35, appeared on charges of murder, attempted hijacking, and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

"It's very important for the family that the suspects are behind bars. We want to hear exactly what happened and who gave the order to kill him," an emotional Siluma said.

The suspects were caught on Sunday in Vosloorus, Alberton and Spruitview.

The court was packed on Tuesday with Dube's family, friends and fans who wanted to get a look at the suspects.

Various police officials shielded the men, fearing that members of the public might assault them.

One of the suspects tried to cover his face with a towel, while the other pulled hoods over their heads when they were led to the docks.

Pat Sibeko who sang with Lucky Dube's group some years ago, and Siluma, who both were sitting on a bench near the accused, burst into tears when they came face-to-face with the suspects.

Magistrate Albertus Roux postponed the case to October 30 for further investigation, and also for the suspects to apply for legal representation.

Dube talked about death hours before he died

A few hours before he died, Dube was talking to his cousin about death and coffins.

Siluma said he saw Dube on Thursday, a few hours before he died. They spoke about Dube's father-in-law's funeral on the previous Saturday.

"He was telling me how he had built his father-in-law's traditional coffin himself and how proud he was of it," Siluma said.

"I asked if he would also make one for me some day and he replied 'We never know what might happen, maybe you'll still have to make mine'."

According to him Dube never wanted bodyguards around him because "he'd never done anyone any harm".

- Beeld