Johannesburg, South Africa ? A wave of anger and shock has followed the killing this week of reggae music legend Lucky Dube by car hijackers, with politicians from across the spectrum calling for a renewed effort in South Africa to reduce one of the world’s highest murder rates.

Killings for a cell phone, a few dollars or old household goods barely rate headlines, but the shooting Thursday night of Dube, 43, one of Africa’s most renowned musicians, in front of his teenaged son and daughter horrified South Africans from President Thabo Mbeki down.

Dube recorded more than 20 albums over the past 25 years and toured extensively. Much of his work had political or social messages, including strong anti-apartheid themes. His last album, released in 2005, was named “Respect” and included songs with such titles as “Political Games,” “Changing World ” and “Celebrate Life.”

Crime has been a political hot potato since the end of the apartheid era, but despite its boasts of success, the African National Congress government remains under pressure to better control the violence, with the country due to host the 2010 soccer World Cup. Nearly 20,000 people a year are murdered in South Africa.

Analysts searching for an explanation for the violent crime rate often point to South Africa being of the world’s most unequal societies, with a vast underclass of poorly educated and unemployed people and a small wealthy elite.

South African police set up a task force Friday to track down the three suspects who confronted Dube as he dropped off his son and daughter at home Thursday night. Police said he tried to escape and was able to drive his car a short distance after the shooting, but he hit a tree and died on the scene.