South Africans are still struggling to come to terms with the fatal shooting of influential rapper Kiernan Forbes on Friday night.Forbes, also known as AKA was shot and killed alongside a colleague outside a popular restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on Friday night, the police said.

His fans have been taking to social media to express shock and dismay over the killings which has left many South Africans desperate to know the motive behind AKA’s killing.

According to the police, the dead men sustained gunshot wounds and both died on the scene.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the motive for the killing was unknown at this point in time.

“The musician and his friend went to the building just behind us on the upper room to do AKA’s hair. After that, they went downstairs to have supper in one of the restaurants,” Netshiunda said.

“As they were walking out to their vehicle, that’s when two assailants allegedly approached them from across the street — and fired several shots at close range,” the spokesperson said.

He added: “After shooting and killing the two, the unknown gunmen just went across the street and disappeared on foot into the night.”

The government has expressed shock over the passing of Forbes and his colleague.

“We would like to express our deepest condolences on the untimely passing of Hip Hop Superstar Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, commonly known as “AKA”, and his friend,” a Sports, Arts and Culture Ministry statement said.