from the Independent Online
State witness Mpho Maruping said her husband had confessed his involvement in Dube's botched hijacking and gave her details on what led to the multi-award-winning superstar's death.
As Dube's relatives sobbed, the woman told the Johannesburg High Court of the night Dube was shot as he dropped off his son and daughter in Rosettenville.
Maruping is the wife of Thabo Maruping. He was initially charged with Dube's murder but turned state witness.
She said her husband and three men on trial for murder, robbery, attempted robbery and illegal possession of firearms - S'fiso Mhlanga, Ludwe Gxowa and Mbuti Mabe - had been on the prowl, hunting for a Chrysler to hijack.
After their search proved fruitless, they parked their VW Polo and waited. Then a Chrysler drove up and stopped not far from them.
They pounced. Two shots were fired. Dube tried to drive off but he crashed his car into a tree and died on the spot.
Maruping said that on October 18, the day Dube was killed, she and Thabo were in Sandton at a timeshare meeting. Thabo kept receiving phone calls and later arranged to meet the three accused in the Joburg city centre.
...
Maruping said she asked her husband why Dube was shot. "He said Mhlanga said he did not see that it was Dube and had thought he was a Nigerian.
When you think about it, that's really messed up on a couple of different levels.
For real though, is it still like that down in SA? Anyone?
33 comments:
Ok that sent a chill down my spine, as a nigerian and a fellow african that really saddens me.
Not at all surprised to hear this from the witness in Lucky Dube murder trial. I am afraid that you are most likely to be attacked, hurt or killed in any Southern African country for just being a Nigerian. A Zimbabwean work colleague (lady) in the UK once told me, "... as a Zimbabwean we were raised to hate you Nigerians." Asked why she had such a strong anti-Nigerian feelings, she said because Nigerian immigrants in Zimbabwe drive the best cars, have the best looking women, wears the most expensive clothes and have everything nice while black Zimbabweans have nothing! They really hate Nigerians in those countries! It's serious out there!
I heard about this and thought it was a joke.
Such a talent, wasted like that...
But on a reflective note, goes to show how so much is wrong about Africa.
I am a Nigerian and I just get hyper when I think about the strategic leadership we could be, had we not been so cursed/blessed as a country.
If we lived the dreams we were made off, I hazard we'd not be so 'hated' + that is another matter...
I was recently in South Africa right in the middle of the xenophobia crisis.... most of the eye-witness reports on TV were locals expressing their hatred for the other Africans, mostly Nigerians that were tainting their environment by bringing in drugs and crime. Yeah, I can pretty mush say they hate Nigerians - based on that, I just claimed my good ol' USA as my country of origin when anyone would ask.
So, not surprised by the report at all.
*smh*... That's nuts!
Read this during the week. Anti-Nigerian sentiments are not kids play in other African countries. I too have a Kenyan friend who was told never to associate with Nigerians. Then there's the rest of the world to worry about as well.
I fear there will be more xeenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the near future...just watch.
that's pretty messed up on a few levels. xenophobia by definition is rarely rooted in reality. i don't think shooting nigerians (or targeting other immigrants like they did last year) is magically going to drop the aids rate or the highest rate of car jackings in the world. or fix the legacy of apartheid.
p.s. according t my sa friend, zimbabweans are not popular in south africa either.
Folks, let's not get drifted further into the politics of hate that has ravaged Africa as a whole and concentrate on music. I've got few questions, maybe someone could shed more light on: Was Lucky Dube right to remain in volatile South Africa with its high level of criminality and senseless violence and how could such a successful musician not have a proper security or bodyguard when moving around a hell-hole like South Africa? That country is certainly not Norway and stars must protect themselves by any means necessary!
The sad part, scratch that. The REALLY sad part is that S/Africans I know aren't even sober. They see Lucky as a martyr in their struggles to get rid of the Nigerians in their country. So after Xenophobia aided in killing one of the most talented men that will ever come out of the country, they still don't care. Add a "D" to "SA" and you get SAD.
My brother-in-law Morgan over the last 15 yrs. has made a relatively comfortable life for himself in Southern Africa, moving from Zimbabwe to Mozambique and finally SA. Last we spoke to him, not long after the last violence, he said he was doing fine, but who knows. . .
A lot of the hatred, intolerance and ignorance really breeds in poor and desperate South African communities who still hold big expectations of improved lives after liberation ... it is compounded when South African leadership is for the most part silent, or claiming the issues are crime-related and not to do with nationality ... there is very little evidence of South Africa's leaders giving this matter public attention by actively sanctioning negative xenophobic attitudes ... an elected City Councillor in Durban (where I live) has been recently charged for allegedly leading a big gang of flatland residents who forced three Tanzanians to jump from high up - killing two of them - that Councillor retains the position that is responsible for civilian oversight of the metropolitan police force. While Nigerian nationals certainly are generaly labelled as scamsters and drug dealers, their relatively prosperous circumstances protect them ... it is the most despearate immigrants and refugees who land up being victimised ... South Africa currently has an estimated five million zimbabwean citizens living here - there are some serious challenges for us all - what we do not read about are the multiple and extensive incidents of compassion, helping and love that ordinary south africans do extend to those less fortunate than themselves - I promise you there are a lot us here giving this matter serious attention.
Chris A - Durban, South Africa
Thanks a lot for the on-the-ground view of the situation, Chris.
(I have a lot I'd like to say about this issue, but maybe I'll save it for later...)
As bad as xenophobia sometimes gets in South Africa, let's remember that it's still the most prosperous country in Africa and it represents the best chance Africa has to overcome a legacy of war, poverty and corruption.
We would all do to remember that xenophobia is a disease that has no skin colour, no nationality, no language ... we'll recall that Nigeria drove millions of Ghanaians out of Nigeria in the 1980s, a terrible pogrom that resulted in many lost lives ... and today seems only to be remembered when we use the ubiquitous 50 naira "Ghana-must-go" bags to stuff our belongings in airplanes and buses.
More recently, Cote d'Ivoire has suffered the disease and I have many Ivorian friends of Mossi Burkinabe descent who were forced to flee the country of their birth just because they came from an ethnic group that supposedly doesn't belong in C.I.
When countries fall on hard times, it is always easier to blame outsiders. And the burden falls on all of us to reject such "easy ways out."
God bless us all.
Anonymous -
While it is true that Nigeria expelled Ghanaians in the 1980s, I think it is disingenuous to refer to it as a pogrom.
"Pogrom" suggests an irrational wave of mass killings, and unless I am remembering incorrectly (I was pretty young back then) that didn't happen.
The Nigerian government issued the Alien Expulsion Order of 1983, essentially asking the Ghanaians politely to leave (similar to Ghana's 1969 deportation of 60,000 resident Nigerians).
They were expelled by law, not chased out by violence.
I certainly respect the opinion that the mass deportation of over 2 million people was different because it was officially sanctioned; I would respectfully disagree about it not being a pogrom. Perhaps we could ask the Ghanaian families how many were beaten, killed and robbed of their life's possessions in 1983 and 1985.
Whether xenophobia is sanctioned or not (in post-apartheid South Africa it is conveniently opposed officially, and practically ignored unofficially) it is to be condemned. No matter how it's packaged, and where it comes from, poop is poop.
It is a sad commentary on the state of Africa's two wealthiest and most powerful countries. Ever notice how proprotionally relatively few African foreigners reside in Nigeria today (compared with say, Senegal, Gabon, Ghana), despite the fact that Nigeria is the most prosperous among its neighbors, and would otherwise be a magnet for job seekers? Could it be, perhaps, because MOPOL and army members (not to mention ethnic-based 'vigilante' groups such as Bakassi Boys and O.P.C.) regularly beat, harass, intimidate, rob and rape foreigners, who they see as easy targets who no one will protect?
By the way, I'm not at all justifying what has happened in South Africa. On the contrary: it is both shocking and inexcusable that people are being shot, beaten, stabbed, necklaced and driven out of their homes merely because of their country of origin (or perception thereof).
Xenophobia (and other forms of exclusion-based violence -- religious, ethnic etc. -- is to be opposed no matter where it originates and what form it takes. I recall in 2001 travelling to Jos and arriving during the now-famous riots (just a couple days before September 11. At one 'checkpoint' (a pile of burning tires and market stalls) a disheartened Baptist minister told me that I had just missed a 'Christian' mob that had been checking passersby for their Biblical knowledge ... those who were deemed to be Muslim were singled out for beatings and possibly worse). I also saw the bodies of twin Muslim girls who had been killed by another mob. Killings of 'Christians' were being carried out by Muslims elsewhere in the city.
Hatred, exclusion, vilification is irritional. It needs to be faced openly and honestly by everyone, Nigerians, South Africans, Ivoirians, Ghanaians (and Americans) included.
None of us can claim the moral high ground, I'm afraid ...
I wish more people would calmly and politely debate their disagreements as we have been doing.
This blog truly is a great one. Thank you and keep it up ...
Peace.
To the madman who claimed that Zimbabweans hate Nigerians for driving the best cars, dressing in the best clothes, etc, I would say to you get a life, stop kidding yourself, and look at yourself in the mirror.
Nigerians are hated all over the world from Afghanistan (yes in Afghanistan) to Zambia and it is not because they drive fancy cars, dress smart etc. The reason why Nigerians are hated is because they are criminals who do nothing but trade in drugs, carry multiple ID's, have fake passports, are fraudulent and will stop at nothing to live off money worked for by someone else. Kick them out wherever they are and send them packing back to Lagos or wherever!
Its true that Nigerians drive flashy cars but if you look closely you will realise that the car is stolen. People are not being anti Nigerians, they are only fighting against crime in their society. Unfortunately it is very hard to separate the genuine law abiding Nigerian from his criminal compatriot. The decent ones are not very easy to come across. Here in South Africa, the first Nigerian drug dealer was arrested in 1994, when independent South Africa was not even one year old. Can you imagine that South Africa,in 1994, was already arresting and convicting a Nigerian drug dealer? And how many Nigerians have been arrested and sentenced to death in countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia which have no tolerance to drugs? You Nigerians must be honest with yourself and stop blaming other Africans for your poor image. Its is you Nigerians who have conceived the stereotype of criminality. Now that the baby is born (i.e. being despised by fellow Africans) make sure you feed it and remember to change the nappies.
Hmmmnnn, its very unfortunate for Nigerians, but you guys shouldn't blame them, if their leaders were doing what they were supposed to do, you wouldn't have seen any Nigerian in any of our countries trying to find shelter by doing dubious acts, I hope things get better for them... God blessed them with abundant natural resources which can make everyone in Nigeria live happily without starving. Lets join our hands together and be brothers to one another, no matter where you come from. Lets forget about our differences, we r all Africans... God bless us all. Amen
WOW. THATS FUCKED UP.
what manner of hatred? are Nigerians more criminal than South Africans? why not allow ur law enforcement agencies( if they are Good)do there job if u feel so bad abt Nigerians. look where ur hatred has landed u. killing the best thing to happen to not just SA but the whole of Africa. the saying goes "it is more injurious to the on that hates than the one being hated. for ur information"its not easy to be great" no matter what u do. common give Nigerians some intellectually credit
nice one, kudos to my nijacrusaders and d dumb SA shld wakeup!
Guys I am originally from Mauritius but I live in London. I never stop saying I am African as my country is still part of the African Unity. I still remember when we chaired the General Assembly in Mauritius in 1975 if I am not mistaken about the year. It was such a Thrill for us Natives to see all those African Leaders on our Soil. I don't know what's going on in our world of today why so much Hatred. We used to blame the Colonialists the Slave Drivers The Imperialists the Communists the Socialists but we never blame ourselves for being Arrogant and Stupid, Egoistic and Selfish. We never dared blame the Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses and all the Chiefs and Tribe Leaders who sold our own Brothers and Sisters to the Slave Drivers during those Infamous Slavery Days. Today Tribal Wars are the Sole Responsible of all the ills and Sickness of Our Nations and who is man enough to accept Reality? No one why because the Shitstem suits them the Same as everywhere else in the world. We like copying the Developed Cointries but we never stopped one day to reflect and say hey hold on we are going too fast and we will end up in the Precipice. No we don't do that so why keep blaming others? All I know I was born by the Blessing of the Almighty and no matter where I am and I will be my Lord will take care of me so the Ups and Downs in my life are there to stop me being Bored, Suicidal and most of all to make me Stronger and be Grateful to my Creator. I am from the World why can't we say that and live with it The more we Denominate we Segregate and Segregation is our Death as everybody needs somebody in life whether you are Rich or Poor. The Lesson to learn is to live Happily together and to help our neighbours and Do not hurt others. Do not eat if your neighbour does not have food share with them first and then we eat. The Koran The Torah The Bible The Geeta and all the other Sacred Books teach us all to live in Peace and Harmony nothing more nothing less. Take care and God Bless Us All.
I think we have lost a v.i.p who played a crutial role in the world.he was a charismatic character a man who can hold several ball on air at once without having any difficulties .wanna salute you where ever you are.
They will continue killing their brothers until they repent. They are too animalistic...
You will continue to hate nigerians cos of the sickness of your old fathers..now you lost one of your own who is mostly love by nigerians...I hear of your gay n lesbian marriage,good you ar all marrying your self same sex...givin birth right LOL...luv u lucky
I have never been so outraged. This is the most xenophobic thing I have heard. The lord have mercy on his murderer and for the fact that he intended to kill a Nigerian is beyond me. Nigeria is the giant of the continent. That's right, we are bosses. And we will always be so fuck your hatred. In trying to take down one of our own, you took down one of yours. A good man for that matter. I loved Lucky Dube's music, and I didn't base it on whether he was from Nigeria or not. You killed a genre. And I hope it haunts you for the rest of your life you dumb fuck.
You cannot fight hate with hate. What most of you guys comment reveal is latent hate brewing. It is true that there is so much distrust for Nigerians in SA. But to practice what you preach, you have to love them else be like them. As the saying goes "Is it okay for a black to be racist". I've always noticed that forums like this end up cursing more hatred.
Why people hate Nigerians?
life is full of uncertainties because of hatred for a Nigerians a A REGGAE HERO IS LOST. OH WHAT A TRAGEDY
I miss Dube, he was a brother tru Music. Naija / SA, we are 1, the world included. Therez a life lesson in every situation... This one ryt here tells us that hate is not the answer. You musnt love every one, but learn to live and do that which is right... That which is right can never be wrong, Dube lives on....
To read this blog is really sad for me as a jamaican, I miss Dube also, Lucky Dubes music is relevant and is much loved throughout the caribbean, his reggae carries an international message that is more sophisticated tham much of the carribean reggae out their today.
we from the caribbean and western countries are ex slaves and after 500 years we have no culture to speak of only the knowledge that Africa was once our home and could still be our home,we would like to look to Africa as our motherland but how can that be if africans are so hostile to each other. You are not alone we also practice hostility to our own other black people in western countries for god sake we fight over postcodes in areas where we own nothing. In africa you have the land and the resources which you can use to improve things for all africans you really have no excuse, look to yourselves to change things and love yourselves more.
U fucking bastard south africans are just being jealous and envious of Nigerians for doing pretty much better than you in your own country. 82% of all crimes you claimed Nigerians committed were actually committed by the south africans and they'll put them on the Nigerians(as south africans are the most corrupted people in world) they'll look for all means to discriminate Nigerians for being successful in their own country. u fucking bastard can go commit suicide for all i care
Nigerian and always proud to be that
so i dont care what you guys say
all i know is that lucky will ever be
the man after hearth and i will ever
mourn him.
Post a Comment