AKA murder

The late Kiernan Forbes and Julius Malema. Image via X/ @akaworldwide.

‘AKA was an ANC mascot’: Malema’s tribute questioned [watch]

Political wars: A clip of EFF leader taking digs at AKA’s political stance has resurfaced on social media following the rapper’s murder.

AKA murder

The late Kiernan Forbes and Julius Malema. Image via X/ @akaworldwide.

African National Congress (ANC) supporters have come out to question Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema’s tribute to slain rapper AKA after he was murdered in Durban on Friday, 10 February.

The 35-year-old Lemons (Lemonade) hitmaker — whose real name is Keirnan Forbes — was gunned down with his friend and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane outside Wish Restaurant on Florida Road.

ALSO READ: AKA ‘received several warnings’ not to set foot in Durban again

AKA and Tibz
Fans gathered outside Wish on Florida to pay tribute to AKA and Tibz after they tragically lost their lives. Images via Twitter: @newzroom405, Instagram: @akaworldwide, @tebello.motsoane

JULIUS MALEMA PAYS TRIBUTE TO AKA

When news of AKA’s brutal murder broke, Malema took to Twitter to express his concern for South African artists: “What’s happening to our Artists now?” Malema asked in his tweet.

According to TshisaLIVE, Juju — as he is affectionately known — also took to his Instagram stories to pay tribute to the late rapper and was quoted as saying: “Till we meet again, brother. Worry not, your daughter is in capable hands.”

ALSO READ: ‘Who’s gonna pay for our kids’ surgeries?’: Woman on AKA’s death

In addition, the EFF paid tribute to the musician; describing him as an “indisputable talent”.

“Crime in South Africa is out of control, and the assassination of civilians has become a norm. AKA was an indisputable talent, and the music industry has lost an innovative artist. May His Soul Rest In Peace.”

OLD CLIP RESURFACES

However, tweeps are questioning whether Malema is genuine in his tributes. They reposted a clip from the EFF’s 2019 press conference in which the politician labelled AKA an ANC mascot.

At the time, Malema was addressing South Africans who did not want Nigerian artist Burna Boy to ever perform in the country again after he had a back and forth with the Fella in Versace hitmaker about xenophobia.

During the presser, the politician questioned how one can be an AKA and EFF supporter at the same time.

In response to the clip, one user shared pictures of AKA and Mamela together.

However, the pictures were taken in 2018 after AKA and Malema clashed over a debate about payola that the EFF leader had had.

In a clip that circulated on social media in late 2018, Malema could be heard using AKA’s name in a debate about payola. The politician referenced the amount of airplay AKA received on radio, adding that such dominance should not lead to a monopoly.

AKA hit back at the suggestion and questioned Malema for mentioning him specifically. However, after the musician’s performance in Polokwane in the same year, he thanked Malema for the support.