By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Presidency has denied Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s request to have a state funeral for the slain rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes.
The request came on Wednesday, when the provincial premier wrote to the president asking for the state funeral as they believed the late rapper had made an immense contribution to society.
Lesufi said the province wanted to honour the rapper by draping his coffin with the South African flag and flying the flag at half-mast.
“We felt that a person of this international stature… there must be some form of honour and we want to clarify that it was not a financial contribution, but it was an honour of draping the coffin, ensuring the flag flies at half-mast and ensuring that it [is] a befitting funeral.”
Lesufi, speaking outside the rapper’s home on Thursday, said AKA would be buried in a secluded venue with “leaders, heroes and heroines of our society.”
“We will also provide security support for the family and ensure that the family feel our support and our comfort.”
AKA was killed on Friday night outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, in what has been speculated to be a hit. His friend, Tebello Motsoane, an entrepreneur and celebrity chef, was also killed in the shooting.
Police investigations into their deaths are still underway and no announcements of arrests had been made at the time of writing.
Meanwhile the father of AKA late fiancée Anele Tembe has denied claims that he was involved in the killing of the hip-hop artist.
Moses Tembe, whose daughter Anele was engaged to the slain rapper, released a statement on Thursday.
Tembe fell to her death from the 10th floor of the Pepper Club Hotel on Loop Street in Cape Town almost two years ago.
The circumstances surrounding her death remain the subject of much speculation and conjecture.
The allegations were made on social media accusing Moses Tembe of being behind Forbes’ passing.
“It is with grave concern that my family and I have had to endure a flurry of posts on various social media platforms that accuse me, and members of my family, of being involved in the death of Kiernan’ AKA’ Forbes,” the Durban businessman said in the statement.
“These accusations are untrue and without substance. I categorically state that my family feel the pain of the Forbes family and would never be involved in an abhorrent act of this nature.”
He labelled the allegations as cruel and libellous.
“After having to deal with the tragedy of the untimely passing of our daughter, this senseless crime has taken a further emotional toll on us. I respectfully request the individuals making these baseless statements to refrain from doing so.”