According to KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, investigations revealed that the suspects followed AKA from his arrival at Durban’s King Shaka Airport on 10 February 2023 to his hotel in Umhlanga, and finally to the Wish restaurant where he killed.

By Staff Reporter

In a press conference held Tuesday, Police Minister Bheki Cele announced the successful arrest of six men allegedly involved in the murder of renowned artist Kiernan AKA Forbes.

AKA and his friend, chef and entrepreneur Tebello Tibz Motsoane were shot dead outside a restaurant in Durban in February last year.

“There’ve been things that have been done. From us in the national office, we congratulate the men in blue. They did not sleep until it was done. The first person was arrested in April last year.”

“I hope South Africans will have a better sleep after this,” Cele said.

The suspects are set to make their court appearance on Thursday following a series of arrests that began last year. Efforts by law enforcement led to the discovery and capture of the two alleged masterminds hiding in eSwatini over the weekend, as reported by KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi also stated that the six suspects played various roles in the commission of the murder.

“We have a co-ordinator, he is in custody, two shooters and one was inside observing Mr Forbes in the restaurant.” 

“The spotter followed Mr Forbes from the airport when he arrived. The second suspect supplied firearms and vehicles.

“The third is a shooter linked to another murder case. We have another spotter who was outside the restaurant. We also have another spotter linked to another case and a shooter linked to another case. We have a total of four vehicles, firearms and cartridges.” 

According to Mkhwanazi, a BMW was found on 2 August, and two other vehicles were rented out to suspects by the owner. He expressed confidence in the evidence collected in this case, stating that all vehicles are now in the possession of authorities.