South Africa and the world awakened to the shattering news that famous rapper, Kiernan Forbes known as AKA, was gunned down in a driveby shooting on Durban’s popular Florida Road, late last night, Friday 10 February.
A second man, believed to be the star’s bodyguard, was also fatally shot.
It is alleged that the award-winning hip-hop star had finished dinner and was making his way to a gig when the tragedy unfolded.
Spokesperson for ALS Paramedics Medical Services, Garrith Jamieson, said: “ALS Paramedics arrived on the scene to find that two males believed to be in their thirties had been shot multiple times. The first male showed no signs of life and there was nothing more paramedics could do for him and he was declared deceased on the scene.
The second male was found in a critical condition. Advanced Life Support Paramedics worked to stabilize the man on the scene, however, the man’s condition deteriorated and he was declared deceased on the scene.”
Jamieson said the events leading up to the shooting are unknown and are being investigated by SAPS and Metro Police on scene.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said: “What we can confirm for now is that a well-known musician, 35-years-old, and his bodyguard who is said to be 34 years old were shot and killed in Florida Road on Friday night.”
Col Netshiunda said two counts of murder is being investigated.
Meanwhile the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts Culture, Amanda Bani-Mapena responded with shock and sadness to the news of the fatal shooting of rapper Kiernan Forbes known as AKA late on Friday evening in Durban’s bustling Florida Road precinct.
Bani-Mapena has since joined millions of AKA’s fans, supporters and family in mourning the rapper whose life has been selfishly taken in a brutal way leaving a gaping hole in the South African entertainment scene.
In a statement issued by the office of the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in KZN, it confirms that police at the scene said the rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting by unknown assailants while he was standing outside the Wish Restaurant. One other person was also killed while another sustained injuries.
“The attacks and killing of music artists are often unheard of and the news we have just received is not only shocking but infuriating. The tragic killing, no matter the motivation, has not only deprived AKA’s family but it has put paid to one of the scintillatingly successful artistic stories in South Africa, Africa and the entire world. AKA was a household name globally,” said Bani-Mapena.
The rapper’s Durban visit was part of the continuation of his birthday celebration and a tour ahead of his anticipated release of his Mass Country album on 24 February. He was billed to perform at Yugon on Friday evening.
Bani-Mapena said the fact that the incident happened in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the rapper’s much-vaunted appearance at the Durban All White Concert at the Durban ICC was on its own disheartening.
“We refuse to be defined as a province that does not recognize the value of human life. We cannot have artists lives taken in such a inhumane matter. This has left us distraught and bereft. We hope the law enforcement agencies will do their work in bringing the perpetrators to justice. We send heartfelt condolences to his beloved family, fans and industry colleagues,” Bani-Mapena added.
#tragedy#drivebyshooting#floridaroad#durban#southafrica#Crime#communitynews#rapper#AKA#KiernanForbes
