South African police have arrested five men in connection with the slaying of international reggae star Lucky Dube, killed in an apparent carjacking attempt last week.

South African reggae star Lucky Dube, seen here performing in July 2005, had released more than 20 albums over his lifetime.
(Fati Moalusi/AFP/Getty Images)

Officers announced on Sunday the arrest of five suspects, as well as the seizure of two unlicensed handguns and several cars believed to have been used by the suspects.

Dube, one of South Africa's most beloved artists, was shot and killed Thursday evening while dropping off two of his children in a Johannesburg suburb.

His shocking death was mourned by thousands of fans. South African President Thabo Mbeki was among the leaders who paid tribute to the 43-year-old singer.

Many, including famed Senegalese performer Youssou N'Dour, said the killing was a call for South African authorities to tackle the country's high rate of violent crime.

Dube, who rose to fame in the 1980s with his criticism of apartheid, had recorded more than 20 albums over more than two decades and toured the world, performing with artists as varied as Peter Gabriel, Ziggy Marley and Celine Dion.

With files from the Associated Press