Ramaphosa declines request to grant AKA special provincial funeral
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa declined his request for permission to honour slain musician Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes with a special provincial official funeral.
The premier visited the slain star's family on Thursday to inform them of Ramaphosa's decision.
An official provincial funeral normally is accorded to MECs or the speaker of the legislature, but the premier can apply to the president if they feel a resident deserves recognition.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Lesufi said the province would honour the late musician by providing law enforcement, a gravesite at Heroes Acre Cemetery and a flag draped over his casket.
“We feel that a person of AKA’s stature must receive some form of honour, and we want to clarify that it is not a financial contribution. We will drape the coffin, provide a gravesite at Heroes Acre Cemetery, with flags flying at half-mast. We will ensure that his funeral is befitting."
Forbes was shot and killed alongside his friend Tebello’ Tibz’ Motsoane in Durban on Friday night.
The rapper's family announced that a public memorial service in his honour will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Friday.
His funeral is set to be a private ceremony held on Saturday.
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