In a significant development in the murder investigation of rapper AKA (real name Kiernan Forbes) and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, multiple arrests have been made, marking a crucial step forward in the case after a year of little progress.
Last Thursday, the Durban magistrate’s court witnessed the appearance of five men accused in connection with the gunning down of the rapper after his 35th birthday celebrations.
The accused, who have been identified as Lindokuhle Thakani, Lindani Ndimande, Eddie Myeza, Muzi Gwabeni and Lindo Ndimande, face a total of 10 charges, including double murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and five counts of attempted murder.
Two additional suspects, Lindokuhle Ndimande and his brother Siyabonga Ndimande, are currently being held in custody in Eswatini after being arrested last week Saturday. South African and Eswatini officials are in the process of finalising the extradition processes to bring them before the court alongside the other accused.
AKA and Tibz were tragically murdered outside a restaurant on Florida Road, Durban, on February 10, 2023. The case had seen little progress in the year following the incident until the recent arrests breathed new life into the investigation.
Despite the recent progress, the motive for the murders still remains unclear.
However the murders have been categorised as murder for hire. According to the charge sheet, the suspects received a substantial sum, totalling just under R800,000, for carrying out the crime, with two individuals reportedly receiving R133,000 each for their involvement.
Despite these arrests, AKA’s father, Tony Forbes, remains sceptical, suggesting that the true mastermind may still elude justice. Speaking outside the court on Thursday morning, Tony Forbes said, “I don’t think it stops with these people, I think it’s just the start. Will we ever get to the true mastermind, I don’t know.”
The case against the seven men charged with killing AKA and Tibz has been adjourned until 6 March, when bail applications will be heard, further prolonging answers in this high-profile case.
