Lucky Dube recorded more than 20 albums in his career

A South African judge has sentenced three men to life in prison for killing reggae star Lucky Dube in 2007.

The 43-year-old was shot as the three stole his car in a Johannesburg suburb in a case which shocked the nation.

Family members broke down in tears, cheered and applauded in response, the South Africa Press Association reports.

"The sentence won't heal me, but we are happy they were arrested and that the law took its course," his wife Zanele Dube said afterwards.

The BBC's Mpho Lakaje outside the South Gauteng High Court says musicians and fans gathered outside to show their support.

he court had heard that the three men thought their victim was Nigerian and did not realise his identity until they read about it in the newspapers the following day.

Our reporter says one of the banners outside court read: "Lucky Dube did not look like a Nigerian; he's an African."