AKA & Friend Shot Dead In Durban! Another Fighting For His Life

AKA killed in a drive-by shooting in Durban 

According to reports by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport Arts Culture  Amanda Bani-Mapena has learnt with shock and sadness of the fatal shooting of rapper Kiernan Forbes known as AKA late on Friday evening in Durban’s bustling Florida Road precinct.

According to police at the scene 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 are 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,” said Bani-Mapena.