Headman Tshabalala, 44, Singer With Ladysmith Black Mambazo

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Headman Tshabalala, a founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Grammy-winning vocal group that gained international recognition for its harmonies on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, was shot and killed in a fight on Tuesday, the police said. He was 44 years old.

Mr. Tshabalala, who was 1 of 4 brothers in the 10-member choir, one of the most popular groups in South Africa, died in a roadside argument, the police said on Wednesday.

The South African Press Association said Mr. Tshabalala was driving home on a highway near Durban when he was stopped and became involved in an argument with another man, who drew a gun and shot him. An Arrest Is Made

The police arrested Sean Nicholas, a security guard, today in connection with the shooting. A judge later released Mr. Nicholas, who is 26 years old, on bail of $380 on condition that he report to the police once a week. Mr. Nicholas was not asked to enter a plea and the case was postponed until Feb. 20.

Mr. Simon, who was on tour in Mexico City, called for a complete investigation of Mr. Tshabalala's death. "Ladysmith Black Mambazo is known and loved all over the world, and it is important that a sense of justice settle over his memory, both for Headman Tshabalala's family and for the sake of all South Africa," Mr. Simon said in a statement.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo sang intricate background harmonies on "Graceland," the Paul Simon album that featured traditional African rhythms and introduced the group to the world in 1986. On the album, the brothers' last name was spelled Shabalala, but the family said on Wednesday that the preferred spelling was Tshabalala.

The group was formed 30 years ago, and is headed by Mr. Tshabalala's elder brother, Joseph. The group once crisscrossed South Africa to perform, singing all night Saturday and all day Sunday in places like Durban or Soweto, then driving all night to get back to their day jobs in their hometown of Ladysmith.

Their songs, almost always performed a cappella and in Zulu, are often about daily life in black South Africa. They sold millions of records under South African labels long before meeting Mr. Simon in the 1980's.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo won its own Grammy, for best traditional folk album, for "Shaka Zulu" in 1987. It later released "Journey of Dreams" and "Two Worlds One Heart."