It is a sad day in South Africa following the events of Friday, 10 February 2023. This is as the country has lost rapper and Hip-Hop legend, Kiernan “AKA” Forbes at the age of 35 years old. Reports of the rapper’s passing started just before midnight when it was reported at the time:
Ahead of his appearance at Yugo Bar in Durban, AKA had shared his upcoming arrival.
Upon rising in Durban, it is believed that was when tragedy occurred as he was gunned down after being shot down.
Confirmed: AKA and Tibz both casualties in Durban shooting
As the matter of AKA’s passing was confirmed, it was since revealed and confirmed that friend and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Mostoane was also a casualty during the shooting.
A video of the attending officer on the scene shares more light as to what happened during the shooting. It is reported that AKA and Tibz, who was mistaken for his security intel, were having dinner in Morningside, Durban. As they were leaving the restaurant to head to their car that was when two unknown gunmen shot and instantly killed AKA and Tibz.
Rapper AKA was killed by Two unknown Gunman, listen to the police officer 💔
Not AKA | AKAs | Da Les | CCTV | Delete | Anele | SupaMega | Anathi | SAPS | Cassper | Nadia | Dj Sumbody | Dj Zinhle | Nelly | Kairo | Tibz | Bheki Cele | Yemi #RIPAKApic.twitter.com/TlE2iW8uT5
Tributes from their fellow ZAlebs have been pouring since the early hours of Saturday, 11 February 2023. This is as many ZAlebs are processing the surprising news of the untimely death of AKA.
This is as just hours before, AKA had set up a hotline to interact with his fans ahead of the release of his fifth solo studio album Mass Country.
Looking forward to interacting with you on the Ⓜ️EGACY ☎️ HOTLINE as we roll out MASS COUNTRY … I’ll be doing video calls, chats, exclusive snippets and all things great as we move towards the 24th of Feb. Chat soon!!!
While there is surprise at the news, there have also been some conspiracy theories that have linked the death to that of his late traditional wife Anele Tembe, who justice was never served in her case. A look at their relationship details:
Almost 2-years since Anele fell to her death, her man, AKA just followed 😪
Go well Kiernan Forbes, 35 is such a young age. Deeply shocked, and saddened by the tragic news of his death#RIPAKA - Supa Mega 💔 NOTA:
Until her untimely death, Anele Tembe was engaged to famous South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA.
The two started dating shortly after AKA broke up with DJ Zinhle in 2020. Details of how they met have not been revealed yet.
On 21st February 2021, AKA announced on Instagram that he had gotten engaged to Anele Tembe.
“21/02/21 – love of my life said Yesssss," his post read. Anele Tembe’s relationship with AKA unfortunately never got to the stage of wedded bliss as a few months after their lobola negotiations, Anele Tembe passed on. Tembe and Forbes family statement
On 11 April 2021, Anele Tembe’s life was cut short after she allegedly jumped out of a window of the tenth floor of Cape Town Pepperclub Hotel where she was staying with her fiance, AKA.
In an interview with Thando Thabethe, AKA explained that he had been in a heated debate with Nellie on the day that she died and that at some point in the argument, she threatened to kill herself. AKA left the room to let her cool off but when he returned, it was too late.
Even though police cleared AKA’s name and ruled Anele Tembe’s death as a possible suicide, not everybody accepted the police report. Some people pointed fingers at AKA and accused him of pushing her out of the window while her father ruled out suicide, claiming that her daughter had never been suicidal.
Anele Tembe was laid to rest on the 16th of April 2021 at the Lala Kahle Cemetery, following a funeral service that was held at Durban International Convention Centre.
