According to local media, the president has declined a provincial government’s request for a state funeral for a popular South African rapper slain last week.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting permission to hold a state funeral for deceased rapper Kiernan Forbes, often known as AKA.
Mr. Lesufi said on Thursday that his plea had been denied.
He stated that he did not want state finances for the funeral, but rather that the coffin is wrapped in the national flag and flags be flown at half-mast in honor of the rapper.
He went on to say that they felt that a person of his international status, as well as a person of his national stature, deserved some sort of honor and that it was not a cash donation.
On Saturday, the rapper will be laid to rest.
