/ 25 October 2007

Best of times, worst of times

Everyone knew Lucky Dube was a big star, as synonymous with reggae in Africa as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were on the world stage. Still, the reaction to the shocking news of his death in an apparent hijacking attempt in Johannesburg was bigger than one would have thought: the Mail & Guardian Online‘s most-read stories below show clearly how online reports on Dube’s death outperformed even the news of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victory.

The Dube tragedy stole some of the Springboks’ thunder, with the national mood last Friday an odd mix of excitement, anticipation, sadness and blame. This high-profile incident has led to South Africans — and Dube fans from around the world — to voice their anger about out-of-control crime levels even louder than before.

There was a similar outcry when South African musician Gito Baloi was shot and killed in Johannesburg in April 2004. His killers have never been found.

In the Dube case, police action was swift: a crack team of detectives appointed, arrests within days — but average South African crime victims may well be hoping in vain that their cases be treated with the same level of urgency.

Part of the problem is the huge number of illegal weapons said to be circulating in South Africa. Criminals, it seems, need to make the weapons pay for themselves, and what easier way than to hijack a vehicle or hold up a pedestrian?

Meanwhile, it has emerged that about 70% of the criminal cases on the court rolls never come to trial. The Director General of Justice and Constitutional Development, Menzi Simelane, told MPs this week that reasons for this included lack of evidence, lost dockets or cases being withdrawn or transferred.

And, while Moody’s Investor Service said this week that the country’s public finances are sound and the financial system healthy, it warned that high unemployment, the HIV/Aids pandemic, wide income disparities and rampant crime may contain currency ratings.

In the meantime, the corruption allegations surrounding police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi still send the wrong message to the population. Many feel Selebi should step aside until any alleged impropriety has been investigated. Here’s hoping his personal troubles are not distracting him, however briefly, from his core business of keeping South Africans safe.

FULL SPEED AHEAD NOT SO FAST
Bryan Habana
The Bok wing’s shares continue to soar. After overcoming a decidedly average 2006 season and rediscovering his form this year, he has, in the space a few days, become the joint top try scorer at a World Cup, been crowned a World Cup winner and walked away with the International Rugby Board player-of-the-year award — and all this while leaving opponents eating his dust.
Butana Komphela
For a man who has been very vocal in his criticism of the racial composition of the Springboks and reportedly threatened their very appearance at the World Cup, Komphela — chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on sport — was quick to get his passport in order to head over to Paris to support the very same team that he routinely criticises. Double standards, anyone?

Most-read stories
October 18 to 24

1. Lucky Dube shot dead in Jo’burg
Reggae musician Lucky Dube was shot dead in a hijacking on Thursday in Rosettenville, Johannesburg police said.

2. ‘They have failed to kill Lucky Dube’s spirit’
The news of the death of South African reggae star Lucky Dube in a botched hijacking attempt in Johannesburg has drawn strong reaction from around the world.

3. Police on trail of Lucky Dube’s killers
Johannesburg police were on Friday looking for three men driving a blue Volkswagen Polo believed to have been involved in the murder of reggae star Lucky Dube (43).

4. Honouring Lucky Dube
As I got the third call at 1.13am confirming Lucky Dube’s death, I could not go back to sleep but started reminiscing about the times we had spent together when I was still his keyboard player.

5. Five arrested for Lucky Dube’s murder
Five men were arrested on Sunday in connection with the murder of reggae star Lucky Dube, East Rand police said.

6. Race debate awaits World Cup heroes
They may be the world champions, but the Springboks have few illusions that their new status will stave off a new push by the government to overhaul the team’s racial composition.

7. ‘Selebi took Kebble cash’
Jackie Selebi received pay-offs from Brett Kebble’s JCI Group through a slush fund controlled by Glenn Agliotti — this is a key allegation in the corruption charge the Scorpions wanted to bring against the police national commissioner.

8. Rainbow nation explodes in joy
South Africa exploded on Saturday night, the final whistle in the World Cup bringing the rainbow nation on to the streets in the time it takes to lift the Webb Ellis trophy. “The country needs this,” shouted fan Evan Rice. “Last time, in 1995, we were on the crest of the wave. Now, though, this is better.”

9. Pride and politics after World Cup final
Pride and politics mixed on Sunday as South Africans celebrated their Rugby World Cup final win over England.

10. Top detectives hunt Dube’s killers
A crack team of detectives was on Friday hunting for the killers of reggae star Lucky Dube as public outrage against violent crime mounted.