Katlego Moeng

Katlego Moeng

The second floor of the Johannesburg high court was standing room only yesterday as media, relatives and artists filled the corridors and gallery to hear the sentencing of Lucky Dube's murderers.

While the rest of the court gallery exclaimed in jubilation, punched the air in victory, and applauded Judge Seun Moshidi's sentencing, Dube's wife Zanele hung her head and cried silently as her husband's killers were jailed for life.

Members of the Shembe Church - who came to support the Dube family - said they were happy and satisfied with the sentencing.

The church's Enoch Mthembu said: "The judge was fair. It was a tough sentence and a message to society that this kind of crime is not acceptable."

Musicians, among them Dube's band members, stood outside chanting and singing anti-crime messages.

Eugene Mthethwa of kwaito group Trompies said: "It is not just up to the police and judges to fight crime. We have criminals in our backyards and we must expose them."

He said he was not really happy because the jailing of the trio would not bring Dube back.

Dube's band members Thandi Radebe, Tonique Phala and Skipper Shabalala sang what they said was Dube's favourite song,Different Colours One People.

Thuthukani Cele said he felt honoured that Dube's band, family and record label had entrusted him with the legacy of Dube's music.