Police have said they don’t want to speculate on whether the murders were a result of a hit but added that the possibility cannot be ruled out

South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, has been killed in a drive-by shooting outside a restaurant on Florida Road, in the country’s coastal city of Durban.

Forbes, one of South Africa’s leading rappers, was shot dead Friday night, along with his close friend and former manager, the chef and entrepreneur Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.

The pair are thought to have been standing outside the WISH Restaurant, on their way to a nightclub for a performance as part of Forbes’ birthday celebrations, when they were gunned down.

Two unknown cars are believed to have opened fire just before 10 p.m.

“I can confirm that two men were killed and one of them is a well-known rapper. Police will not be releasing any names of the victims yet until a full investigation is completed,” KwaZulu-Natal Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said

Police have said they don’t want to speculate on whether the murders were a result of a hit but added that the possibility cannot be ruled out. The motive of the killing is being investigated.

Forbes’ parents paid tribute to him in a statement on one of his social media accounts.

“To us, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, most importantly father to his beloved daughter Kairo,” they wrote.

“To many, he was AKA, Supa Mega, Bhova, and the many other names of affection his legion of fans called him by. Our son was loved and gave love in return.”

Forbes began his musical career as part of the rap group Entity before he launched his solo career, winning several awards in South Africa for his music. He was also celebrated internationally, with several nominations for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the US and an MTV Europe Music Award.

Hours before his death, the 35-year-old posted on social media about his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is set for release later this month.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world and shootings are not uncommon.

The charity Gun Free South Africa, which works to reduce gun violence in the country, estimates that 30 people in the country are murdered daily with guns.