Suspected killers of South African rapper, AKA, arrested, to appear in court soon

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders of well-known South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, and his close friend, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Tebello “Tibz” Motshoane.

The two were gunned down outside a restaurant in Durban a year ago, in a killing that shocked South Africans.

According to multiple reports, Police said hitmen were paid to target AKA but no motive was revealed.

The suspects, all aged below 36, are expected to appear in court on Thursday.

“It was clear that AKA was monitored from the airport and Tibz was not the intended target in the murder on Florida Road in Durban,” Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, said in a press briefing on Tuesday night.

“We know they were paid for this,” Lt Gen Mkwananzi added.

He said the accused men played different roles in the plot to kill AKA.

The suspects who are behind bars included two gunmen who allegedly fired several rounds at the victims, three spotters who are accused of following AKA from Durban’s airport, someone who allegedly sourced the firearms which were used in the ambush, as well as the alleged mastermind.

The police announced the arrest of six of the suspects on Tuesday evening.

According to Police, a seventh suspect was arrested on Wednesday morning,

Police spokesperson, Col Robert Netshiunda, said the seventh man was a 30-year-old South African citizen originally from KwaZulu-Natal province and was accused of acting as a spotter.

The two alleged gunmen were found in a hideout in neighbouring Eswatini following a raid which was carried out at the weekend in conjunction with Interpol.

They appeared at a magistrate’s court in Eswatini on Tuesday.

Plans are under way to extradite the duo to face murder charges in South Africa.

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