South African law enforcement officials have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation of rapper AKA‘s murder. During a press briefing on Wednesday, September 6, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi announced that they have located the firearm used in the killing.
“We have identified a couple of vehicles that were used,” he said. “Some of the vehicles were used as getaway [vehicles]. Some were used as spotters. Some may have been used by people after the fact. We’ve identified at least one firearm that has been used and positively identified to have shot and killed Mr. Forbes on that evening.”
According to Times Live, the gun was discovered by law enforcement in May and reportedly belonged to a man in his early twenties from Umlazi. Ballistics were run on the weapon, linking it to AKA’s killing.
However, the police had previously dismissed these claims as unsubstantiated and malicious.
The exact details of when and where the gun was found have not been disclosed.
As we previously reported on Rap Aesthetics, AKA, born Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, was tragically shot alongside his childhood friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane outside Wish restaurant in Durban on the evening of February 10. The award-winning rapper had just finished dining at the popular establishment and was outside chatting with friends when an unidentified assailant approached and fatally shot him in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a press statement, his parents Tony and Lynn Forbes confirmed their son’s untimely passing and expressed gratitude for the love and support they received.
“It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son, and confirm his untimely and tragic passing on the evening of February 10,” the statement read. “They also asked for compassion and prayers from the public as they deal with the loss.
“We thank you for the love and compassion we have received thus far, and ask you to continue to keep us in your prayers.”
A celebration of life was held in his honor at at Sandton Convention Center on Friday (February 17) and was attended by his family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers. The rapper was laid to rest the following day in a private provincial funeral.
