South African rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes was shot dead on Florida Road Friday night, police sources in Durban have confirmed.

Another person believed to be AKA’s bodyguard was also wounded, while an unidentified person, who is understood to be a close friend of AKA, was also shot dead in the drive-by shooting, according to an IOL report.

Police in the province had yet to officially comment on the incident, but according to IOL, AKA was standing outside the Wish Restaurant when he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting.

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

Police had cordoned off the area when an IOL team arrived at the scene on Friday night.

A spokesperson for the ALS Paramedics, Garrith Jamieson, said Florida Road had been closed off after the shooting incident.

Jamieson said amongst the deceased was a “famous rapper”, IOL says.

The identity of the second person shot dead was unknown as of the time of filing this report, but he is understood to be a close friend of AKA.

Social media posts said AKA was due to perform at a Durban night club, YUGO, where he was expected to perform as part of his birthday celebrations.