His wallet was taken; his car and musical instruments were left untouched. There have been no arrests in connection with the murder.
Baloi was widely regarded as one of the most gifted musicians working in South Africa. He first came onto the scene in 1986 when he toured with the group Pongolo. He later performed with Mzwake Mbuli during the People's Poet's resistance concerts and was involved in recording two key Mbuli albums on Shifty Records, “Change is Pain" in 1986 and “Unbroken Spirit" in 1989.
It was Baloi's work with the Afro-folk group Tananas that earned him a South African Music Award in 1996 for best contemporary jazz. He also supported several international artists during their South African visits, including Sting and Tracy Chapman.
Another leading South African star, Tebogo Madingoane of the popular group Mafikizolo, was shot in February after an apparent “road rage" incident in the Soweto township near Johannesburg
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