Ramaphosa rejects state funeral bid for rapper AKA

The president reportedly turned down a province government's request for a state funeral for a well-known South African rapper killed last week, according to local media.

Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng, had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa to ask for approval to give rapper Kiernan Forbes, often known as AKA, a state funeral.

Mr. Lesufi claimed on Thursday that his plea had been turned down.

He claimed that while the national flag would be placed over the coffin and flags will be flown at half-staff in memory of the rapper, no public monies were requested for the funeral.

It is reported that he said, "We felt that the person of his international status, person of his national stature, there must be some type of honor, and we want to stress it is not a cash donation.

The rapper will be remembered in front of the general public on Friday. On Saturday, he will be laid to rest.