WORLD BRIEFING / SOUTH AFRICA

Three men convicted of murdering an internationally known South African reggae star in a botched carjacking were sentenced by a judge to life in prison.

Lucky Dube’s 2007 killing drew worldwide attention to crime in South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest murder rates. The 43-year-old singer was gunned down in his car in front of his children in suburban Johannesburg.

“The accused showed no mercy for the deceased,” Judge Seun Moshidi said. “It is difficult for the court to extend any mercy today.”

Sifiso Mhlanga, Mbuti Mabe and Julius Gxowa were convicted Tuesday in Dube’s death. Hours before the verdict was announced, Mabe and Mhlanga assaulted police officers in a foiled bid to escape from the court.