afrol News, 23 October - The funeral of the slain South African reggae maestro will be done in private. The late reggae king's family mouthpiece, Arnold Mabunda said this was in tandem with Dube's beliefs and the church's request.

He said the fallen singer would not have preferred the funeral to be turned into a media circus.

Luck Dube was shot dead last Thursday in a Johannesburg suburb [Rosettenville] as he dropped off his two teenage children from school. The police linked the killing to car hi-jacking. Five people [although there was no evidence against the fifth one] have been arrested in connection with the case.

But the media will be invited to attend the memorial and church services of the Shembe worshipper to be held at Bassline in Newtown on Wednesday and Sunday.

The musician's family is asking that suspects be denied bail and paraded in public this week.

The death of most artists increased their fame, especially if the death was controversial or sympathetic. Dube's death resulted to increasing demand for his records, with his recording company receiving more than 3,000 daily messages of condolences and orders of his albums.

The company's Chief Executive, Ivor Haarburger said Dube's death has generally increased his popularity in the world.

Dube is among the few South African musicians to attract international music market as evidenced by the sales of his albums, especially the 1993 album called Victim, which sold over a million copies.

His recording company is expected to release the Best of Lucky Dube. He had used music to preach peace, equality and respect in South Africa and the world.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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