South African rapper Aka shot dead in Durban

Rapper Aka (Kiernan Forbes), June 4, 2016, in Johannesburg.

AFP - RAJESH JANTILAL

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

From his real name Kiernan Forbes, he was one of the figures of rap in South Africa.

The investigation is now underway to determine the motive, for the time unknown, and the two assailants.

It's a blow for the South African music scene, and a shock as the country regularly experiences shootings.

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With our correspondent in Johannesburg,

Claire Bargelès

It was at the exit of a restaurant in Durban, joining his car, that the rapper was shot dead Friday evening, while he was in the coastal city to give a concert.

At his side, a relative who accompanied the 35-year-old artist was also the victim of these point-blank shots.

On social networks, tributes are multiplying for the one who was also nicknamed "Super Mega", and who was about to unveil a new album, after having won numerous prizes rewarding his career in the world of rap and hip-hop. .

This drama sheds a little more light on the lack of gun control in South Africa.

According to a recent report by Gun Free South Africa, 30 people are killed by gunfire on average every day, and these weapons are one of the main causes of murder in the country which has one of the highest homicide rates. in the world.

Artists are therefore not spared: in November, the amapiano music star DJ Sumbody was killed in a shooting in Johannesburg, and again last week, a well-known musician from Pretoria, Vusi Ma R5, was also shot dead.

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