By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes was shot dead at a popular nightspot in Durban’s Florida Road on Friday night.
Police crime scene investigators were still combing the scene in Florida Road, Durban on Saturday morning.
They cordoned off a section of the pavement. Durban metro police officers worked alongside them to secure the area.
Meanwhile, it was business as usual for other restaurants in the vicinity.
KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says the public should allow police the space to conduct their investigations.
“As the police, we would like to plead with residents to keep calm and allow us the space for work. The motive of the killing has not been established yet so if there could be any revenge attack that could be premature and that will be illegal as well as we don’t want anybody killing anybody in the name of revenge.”
Netshiunda said that officials now need space to complete their investigations and determine the facts behind the killings.
The 35-year old Forbes and his 34-year friend, his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were at a restaurant where they had supper along the popular street.
According to Netshiunda, they were shot while coming out of the club and walking to their vehicle.
“Information at police’s disposal at this stage indicate that the men were walking towards their vehicle from a restaurant when they were approached by two armed suspects who walked to them from across the street and shot the victims at close range.
The assailants then fled the scene on foot.
Forbes began his musical career as part of the rap group Entity before he launched his solo career, winning several awards in South Africa for his music.
He was also celebrated internationally, with several nominations for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the US and an MTV Europe Music Award.
Hours before his death, the 35-year-old posted on social media about his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is set for release later this month.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world and shootings are not uncommon.