Messages of condolences have been pouring in for the multi-award winning hip-hop star, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes popularly known as AKA who was gunned down alongside his friend, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane outside a restaurant on Florida Road on Friday night.
CCTV footage from the restaurant which shows the brazen assailants shooting AKA and Tibz has gone viral on social media with many residents expressing their shock and grief. The video clip shows AKA socialising with a group of friends, shortly before another man runs past him and appears to shoot at close range.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police are investigating two counts of murder following the killing of two men who are aged 34 and 35 years old.
“The two were fatally wounded on Florida Road in Morningside after 10pm. Information at police’s disposal at this stage indicate that the men were walking towards their vehicle from a restaurant when they were allegedly approached by two armed suspects who walked to them from across the street and shot the victims at close range. The suspects are reported to have fled the scene on foot. Both victims were declared dead at the scene. The motive of the shooting is unknown at this stage and police investigations are ongoing,” he said.
KwaZulu Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube condemned the senseless and violent killing of AKA and Tibz. “We are shattered at the manner of his death. This is a tragedy of monumental proportions and we call on the law enforcement authorities and the people of our province and country to join hands in ensuring that the killers are brought to justice. AKA was a global ambassador for our music and put our country on a world stage. It is even more painful that this dastardly deed will be eternally associated with our province. Law enforcement authorities must speedily respond and solve this senseless murder so that the assailants face the full might of the law. Our province cannot be associated with assassins who kill innocent lives with impunity. We pray for the family, friends, relatives and fans. This is a darkest hour for all of us and a loss to the whole nation. Crime is eating the fabric of our society and everyone must unite and play a role in fighting criminality,” she said.
In a media statement, the Forbes family announced that AKA’s memorial service will be open to the public and streamed online.
“We as the Forbes family would like to acknowledge the outpouring of love we have received over the past few days. Kiernan wasn’t just loved by us as a family, but by the nation, as we’ve seen from loved ones, friends, industry colleagues, media tributes and the Megacy. It is our wish to celebrate the life of Kiernan with those he touched and impacted through his gift of music. His memorial will therefore be open to the public as well as streamed online,” the statement read. The family also announced that AKA will be laid to rest in a private provincial funeral on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have information which can assist in the investigation and lead to the apprehension of the suspects to contact the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111, alternatively, tip-offs can be relayed via the MySAPS App.
