By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The senseless killing of hip hop star Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have reignited the debate over illegal guns.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world and shootings are not uncommon.
In a sombre interview outside the family’s home in Johannesburg, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said strengthening gun laws was discussed at length at a recent ANC lekgotla.
“Our lekgotla was very clear: we will approach the legislatures, but we need a debate and serious action. If you can’t act, those who have illegal guns will finish those who are law abiding. And those who have illegal guns will play God and decide who lives, who dies.”
This would apply across the board, from private security companies to armed illegal miners.
Forbes and Motsoane were shot dead outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on Friday night.
The delegation of ANC officials who visited the star’s family included ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and ANC Gauteng provincial secretary TK Nciza.
Mbalula said he met with the rapper’s family to convey his condolences.
“It is a difficult moment. We are here to express our condolences, at a personal level, because to some of us, he was a friend, and he was our young brother.
“We were very close too, in bad and difficult times, and but also we’re here to express our condolences as a party that he cherished, he criticised and he stood by in difficult moments, when it is not fashionable to support the ANC.
Music executive and DJ, Oscar Oskido Mdlongwa, and several music industry colleagues have also visited AKA’s home in Bryanston, north of Johannesburg.
A team of detectives from the police’s organised crime unit is investigating the motive for the killing and a manhunt is underway for the killers.