Six people arrested for AKA’s murder

February 28, 2024 79

Six people have been arrested for the murder of Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known professionally as AKA.

The rapper, producer and businessman was fatally shot with his friend and business partner, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, outside a Durban restaurant in February last year.

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, says four of the suspects are in custody here in South Africa, while two others are in Swaziland.

The announcement by the police top brass came hours after they rejected the Times of Swaziland’s reports, alleging that two alleged hitmen wanted for the duo’s murder were on trial in Mbabane for breaking Swaziland’s immigration laws.

Mkhwanazi says they had kept the news under wraps in a bid to close in on all their targets.

According to Mkhwanazi, one suspect is still on the loose. He apparently ran away after hearing about the arrest of the two suspects who were nabbed from their hideout in Swaziland.

He says the suspects had different roles in the alleged elaborate hit.

AKA was allegedly followed from the time he landed at the airport in Durban to the eatery where he was killed.

[JUST IN] The @SAPoliceService this hour announces a breakthrough in the murder of South African musician #AKA and friend Tebello. Police investigations have led to the have arrest of SIX people including the shooters, spotters, and the coordinator of the hit. pic.twitter.com/3rcHfqLY73

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) February 27, 2024

Mkhwanazi says the police worked with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the matter.

Four vehicles and the alleged murder weapon are part of the evidence they have gathered.

The first arrested was made in April and the second in October. Mkhwanazi says their strategy was to first charge the suspects with other cases until they have them all in custody.

[AKA AND TEBELLO MURDER CASE] SAPS has arrested six suspects for the murders of AKA and Tebello. Timeline of arrests 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/GLH8AG81x7

— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) February 27, 2024

Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has congratulated the police for a job well done, expressing confidence that they have the right people.

[BREAKTHROUGH] Minister Cele assures South Africans that the thorough investigations by detectives who have cracked the #AKA murder case have arrested the right people. Six people have been arrested so far for the murder of the musician and his friend. pic.twitter.com/7sp7G0SIFR

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) February 27, 2024

The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.