The AKA murder case took a turn on Tuesday, when SAPS announced the arrest of six suspects connected to the brutal murders of Kenan Forbes, known as AKA, and Tebello Motsoane, also known as Tibz.
SAPS detail how six suspects were arrested in AKA murder case
On 10 February 2023, in Durban, AKA and Tibz were killed by two gunmen in what was suspected to be a murder-for-hire.
The KZN SAPS, led by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Police Minister Bheki Cele, announced during a packed media briefing that significant progress has been made in the investigation since last year.
In fact, Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi revealed six suspects linked to the double murder are currently in custody, two of whom are awaiting extradition from Eswatini as previously reported.
According to the provincial commissioner, these individuals played varied roles in the execution of the crime, ranging from coordination and shooting to support activities such as surveillance inside the restaurant where Forbes and his friends were observed.
Chillingly, one of the two spotters involved in the double murder surveilled AKA from the moment he touched down in Durban that fateful morning, all the way to the restaurant that evening where he met up with friends for dinner ahead of his show at a nearby nightclub.
The arrests were the culmination of a meticulous investigative process, leveraging evidence such as vehicle recoveries and a firearm used during the crime.
Alleged mastermind is behind bars
Among the arrested is an individual described as the “coordinator,” essentially the alleged mastermind behind the operation.
This person’s apprehension is a critical development in the case, pointing to a well-organised plot against Forbes and Motsoane.
According to Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi, several rented vehicles used to pull off the murder were traced back to the owner, who, at this time, aided police in developing an airtight investigation against the unnamed mastermind.
Authorities are also in possession of an incriminating financial papertrail that shows the alleged mastermind’s connection to each suspect linked to AKA’s murder case.
The police, however, have shot down speculation around the identity of the alleged mastermind.
When Will the Suspects Make Their First Court Appearance?
The four suspects currently in the custody of South African police will make their first court appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court, on Thursday, 29 February 2024.
It’s unclear, at this stage, what string of charges each will face.
The arrest of six individuals in connection with the AKA murder case marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for AKA and Tibz.
As the legal process unfolds, further details are expected to emerge, offering clarity and possibly closure to a case that has captured the attention of many.
