WATCH | Teary Nadia Nakai, Lynn Forbes distraught at the late AKA's family press conference

AKA's assassination has left his family members, friends and girlfriend traumatised and shattered.

Kiernan “AKA” Forbes was gunned down outside a popular restaurant in Durban on Friday evening in a shooting that also resulted in the death of his lifelong friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, a chef and author.

AKA's mother Lynn, brother Steffan, and girlfriend Nadia Nakai were visibly distraught and struggled to hold back the tears as the rapper's father and family spokesperson Tony Forbes made a statement to the media on Tuesday Afternoon at Rockets Bryanston.

Lynn and Nadia, who donned black dresses and sunglasses, held hands and comforted each other with hugs and whispers throughout Tony's speech.

Taking to the podium, which was placed alongside a lit white candle and AKA's picture, Tony expressed his gratitude to his sons, Mzansi, his son's fans, friends and family members who had shown them support as they mourn their son's untimely death.

Tony went on to thank AKA's friends, former Dream Team member Lusasa “Saso” Ngcobo, Don Design, and DJ Benny Maverick, among others, for being there for his son “from the start to the finish”. 

“The close friends that he had, they've been at our side just like they've been with him since Friday evening. They've been at our side supporting us,” he said.

LISTEN | ‘We don’t condone what is being said about AKA’s friends’: late star's father

“We would like to say that his colleagues and associates have extended themselves beyond expectation. They've really gone out of their way to support us, and we thank his wonderful neighbours who have comforted and accommodated us in this time. It just shows how truly loved Kiernan was. And we are proud of that.​"

Tony slammed speculation and conspiracies that have pinned his close friends as suspects in his death, saying AKA's friends, who were at the scene, were left traumatised by the incident.

“We send our love and support to friends who were with Kiernan in his last moments in Durban and we feel their trauma and pain as well. Our home will always be open to them. We do not condone what's been said about his friends and those making dangerous statements and we appeal to them to cease doing so.”

Tony said while they were aware of the NPA's declaration, their focus as a family now was to celebrate their son's life and “give him a dignified send-off with as little distraction as possible” and sent their condolences to the Motsoane family for the death of Tebello, who was AKA's friend who “played  a key role in laying the foundation” of the rapper's career.

AKA's memorial service, which is open to the public, is set to take place on Friday at the Santon Convention Centre from 3pm to 5pm.

The Fela In Versace hit maker will be laid to rest in a private provincial funeral on Saturday, February 18.

“It's our wish to celebrate  the life of Kiernan with those he touched and impacted through his gift of music and influence in society. We thank you and please keep us in your prayers as we go forward.”

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