Ben Shabalala, a longtime member of South Africa’s most famous a cappella ensemble, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was shot and killed on June 16. He was believed to be in his late 40s.

Shabalala, whose brother Joseph founded and still leads the group, was killed in a Durban suburb under unknown circumstances, said Mike Wilpizeski, a spokesman for the U.S.-based Heads Up International record label. Police were investigating Tuesday.

Ben Shabalala first joined the band in 1979, lending his voice to Paul Simon ‘s “Graceland” album, which captivated world audiences and won the Grammy Award for album of the year in 1986.

He was also part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s “Shaka Zulu” recording, which picked up a Grammy for best traditional folk album the following year.

Shabalala retired from the band, which fuses Zulu and gospel music traditions, in 1993.

Credit: AP