Taxi boss Mfundo Gcaba found himself embroiled in controversy as he deposited R800,000 into an account linked to the murder of rapper AKA.
The plot thickens: R800,000 and a phone call
On Wednesday, the Durban Magistrate’s Court heard details of a complex web woven around the murder of Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes.
Central to this narrative is Mfundo Gcaba, a notable figure in the taxi industry, who made a significant financial transaction that the State claims was connected to the crime.
This transaction became a focal point during the bail application hearing of the five men accused of orchestrating the rapper’s demise.
Evidence presented by state prosecutors revealed a meticulously detailed chain of events leading up to and following the payment of R800,000 by Gcaba’s company, Bright Circle, to Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, one of the accused.
The prosecution outlined a timeline, beginning with a phone call made by Gwabeni to a number associated with Sydney Mfundo Gcaba.
This call, placed shortly before the substantial deposit, was flagged by the investigation team as a potential indicator of collusion or at the very least, a prelude to the financial transaction.
The deposit was executed on Saturday, 11 February 2023, with the funds originating from Bright Circle, a company owned by Gcaba.
This detail was meticulously presented by State prosecutor advocate Elvis Gcweka, citing the affidavit of investigation officer Warrant Officer Kumarasan Pillay.
Following the initial deposit, Gwabeni is reported to have distributed the funds among his co-accused, each receiving a portion of just over R100,000.
This disbursement further complicated the narrative, introducing a layer of financial manoeuvring that the prosecution suggests was tied to the murder of AKA and his friend, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
In defence, Gwabeni claimed the R803,000 was a legitimate payment for consultation services from a reputable company.
However, this assertion was met with scepticism by the State, which argued there was no evidence of any services rendered by Gwabeni’s company to Bright Circle, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the transaction and its declared purpose.
The accused, Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande, face a slew of charges, casting a long shadow over their futures.
The details, as laid out by the investigation officer, paint a grim picture of the alleged planning and execution of AKA and his friend’s murder, spotlighting the accused’s financial transactions and communications.
The Gcaba dynasty: Influence and controversy
Mfundo Gcaba and his family have long been influential figures in KZN’s taxi industry, a sector known for its competitive and, at times, volatile nature.
The Gcaba family has faced legal challenges, notably involving Mfundo’s brother, Sthembiso Gcaba. In March 2021, Sthembiso was arrested and charged with fraud related to the alleged use of 70 stolen South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards.
This incident painted a complex picture of the family’s activities, juxtaposing their business endeavours against allegations of criminal conduct.
Furthermore, the seizure of assets, including a luxury vehicle, during a raid on Sthembiso’s estate by the Durban Central District task team, highlighted the scale of their wealth and raised questions about its sources.
The Gcaba family’s influence extends beyond the taxi industry and into political and social spheres.
The Gcaba brothers were also linked to the shutdown riots that broke economic hubs in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July 2021. Voice notes supposedly from sources within the family claimed they were responsible for the fleet that transported rioters and instigators in and around the provinces.
However, Mandla Gcaba, speaking on behalf of his family, vehemently denied the rumours and called for criminal action to be taken against those dragging their name through the mud.
Forensic investigations were conducted by high-level state security firms and, to this day, the Gcaba brothers were never listed as suspects in the shutdown riots.
