South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki made an appeal to South Africans to confront the "scourge" of crime together. "This is indeed very, very sad that this happened to an outstanding South African -- an outstanding musician, world renowned," he said as he was leaving for France to support the Springboks in the World Cup final.
Mbeki conveyed his condolences to the family and to Dube's fans in South Africa and around the world.
"Even as we prepare to celebrate the victory of the Springboks, we must also grieve the death of an outstanding South African and indeed make a commitment that we shall continue to act together as a people to confront this terrible scourge of crime, which has taken the lives of too many of our people - and does so every day," he said.
"Perhaps when we bring back the cup that will also be a salute to a fellow artist -- as the Springboks are artists - to the life of a really great South African artist, Lucky Dube," Mbeki said.
The African National Congress (ANC) said it was "deeply shocked and saddened by the brutal murder of music legend Lucky Dube".
"The ANC condemns in the possible strongest terms, this barbaric and senseless killing by people who have no respect for life. We urge law-enforcement agencies to act promptly in hunting down these nefarious, ruthless criminals who have robbed the Dube family of a father and a son, and a musical icon of all times to South Africa, Africa and the world at large."
It added: "Through his music, Dube played a pivotal role in sensitising the world about the hardships faced by oppressed people in South Africa at the height of apartheid. His lyrics were a thorn on the side of the apartheid government which had put in place policies precisely designed to undermine the existence of black people and all those who denounced the regime."
The Democratic Alliance said the country has been robbed of one of its most "talented and patriotic musical ambassadors".
"The circumstances surrounding his murder again illustrate that violent crime in South Africa is out of control, and that government's remedies to address this scourge have failed," said party spokesperson on arts and culture Desiree van der Walt. "Lucky Dube did so much for our country, both as an artist and as a patriot. The best tribute to him and the amazing life he lived would be for government to intensify its fight against crime."
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