The killing of reggae star Lucky Dube, seen here performing at 2005's Live 8 in Johannesburg, drew widespread condemnation of South Africa's high rate of violence crime. (Fati Moalusi/AFP/Getty Images)

Three men charged with the 2007 killing of South African music icon Lucky Dube pleaded not guilty in Johannesburg High Court on Monday.

The charges against the accused trio, all in their 30s, include murder with aggravated circumstances, robbery, attempted hijacking and unlawful possession of firearms, according to SAPA news agency and other media. The trial is expected to continue for one month.

In October 2007, Dube — one of South Africa's best known recording artists — was dropping his children off at his brother's house in a southern Johannesburg suburb when a group of men yanked open his car door and shot him at close range. The singer attempted to drive away and crashed into a nearby vehicle and then a tree.

Dube's children, already heading into the house, ran for help but reportedly witnessed their father's death.

The beloved singer's death sparked criticism worldwide and widespread calls from South Africans for authorities to tackle the country's high rate of violent crime.

The 43-year-old reggae singer, who recorded in Zulu, English and Africkaans, began singing traditional music but rose to fame during the 1980s as a vocal critic of apartheid. Over his two-decade career, he toured the globe and also performed with international stars such as Peter Gabriel, Ziggy Marley and Céline Dion.