Amid rising speculation, the Gcaba family has come forward to defend Mfundo Gcaba against allegations linking him financially to the AKA murder case.
Gcaba family statement surfaces after ‘urgent’ meeting
Following a high-level family meeting on Sunday, the Gcaba family, one of the most powerful dynasties in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) taxi industry, issued a detailed statement regarding Mfundo Gcaba’s alleged involvement in the murder of Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known as AKA.
“As the Gcaba family, we acknowledge the gravity of the situation at hand and the widespread interest it has garnered,” the statement kicked off.
They expressed their trust in the South African judiciary and emphasised Mfundo’s right to explain his side and clear his legitimate business dealings, distancing him from any criminal activities.
“We wish to express our unwavering faith in the South African judiciary and affirm our commitment to cooperating fully with all arms of the state in the pursuit of justice,” the family wrote.
The R800,000 payment at the centre of the AKA murder case
At the heart of the controversy is a payment of R800,000 from Gcaba’s company, Bright Circle, to Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, a suspect in the AKA murder case.
This transaction, carried out on Saturday, 11 February 2023, less than 24 hours after AKA and Tibz were viciously murdered outside Wish Restaurant on Florida Road, Durban, was scrutinised during the bail application hearing for the accused, on Wednesday, 27 March 2024.
In the courtroom, state prosecutors presented a timeline that purportedly connected Mfundo Gcaba to the events leading to AKA’s murder.
They pointed to a phone call from Gwabeni to Gcaba prior to the transaction as potential evidence of their collaboration.
Despite defence claims that the payment was for legitimate business services, the prosecution argued there was no concrete proof of any such services being rendered.
The Gcaba family’s statement was a call for fairness and due process, asserting Mfundo’s business integrity and their willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
“Mfundo is an adult and is a successful businessman involved in various sectors, including coal mining and the taxi industry. It is important to note that financial transactions between him and Mr Gwabeni were purely for business purposes. These numerous transactions over a long period of time can be verified through bank records and were neither unique nor isolated,” the family asserted.
They also extended their condolences to the Forbes and [Motsoane] families, while sharing their concern “that the authorities have not yet approached Mfundo to share his side of the story.”
“It is crucial to understand that Mfundo has assured the family that he has no coinnnections to any illegal activities, nor does he has any motive to engage in such. His business dealings are legitimate and transparent, having nothing to hide to anyone, least of all our law enforcement,” the statement read.
With the case ongoing, the Gcaba family remains supportive of Mfundo, advocating for a just examination of the facts.
“We stand united in our support for Mfundo and remain steadfast in our commitment to the rule of law,” the family concluded.
In South Africa, the AKA case will return to court on Tuesday, 2 April 2024, for the resumption of the accused’s bail application.
Elsewhere, two more suspects in the AKA and Tibz murders, the Ndimande brothers, are expected back in court on Tuesday, 9 April 2024, to respond to South Africa’s extradition request.
