It has been a little over a year since South African rapper/musician Kiernan Forbes, known by his stage name “AKA” was shot to death in Durban on February 10 2023.

AKA was murdered alongside his friend Tebello Motsoane. Tebello was a chef and entrepreneur and was known to people as “Tibz”. The pair was shot and killed outside the coastal restaurant Wish on Florida.

AKA Murder suspects apprehended according to KZN Police

On Tuesday, February 27, minister of police Bheki Cele released a statement saying 6 of the seven murder suspects in the AKA murder case had been arrested. It is reported that on Wednesday, February 28, another suspect was apprehended and brought into police custody.

According to the Daily Maverick reports, KZN provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi joined police minister Bheki Cele at the press conference and said they had the suspects in custody and they are aware of the roles each one played in orchestrating the murder of award-winning rapper AKA.

“We have the coordinator, who is basically the master of everything. He is in custody. We have two shooters. We have two spotters — one of the spotters was inside the restaurant observing, watching Mr Forbes and his friends — as well as the organiser of firearms and vehicles, because the vehicle was used as a getaway and firearms used to shoot, they were all hired…” Said the provincial commissioner.

5 murder suspects to appear in court

Today 5 men appeared at the Durban magistrates court in relation to the murders of South African rapper Kiernan Forbes and his friend and manager Tebello Tibz. While police believe they have the main people responsible for orchestrating the murders, AKA’s father Tony Forbes believes the mastermind of the whole operation has not been found.

In a statement to Newsroom Afrika, Tony Forbes, Kiernan Forbes’ father stated that the arrest of seven suspects and the subsequent court appearance of the 5 men today does not mean the case is at its end, in fact, he believes this to be the start of unveiling the real truth.

“I’m cautiously optimistic.. with the seven suspects in custody and then being now staring court proceedings, for me it’s the start of the next stage it doesn’t represent that we’re there. it’s really the start to get closer to the truth to find out who is really behind all of us but it’s an important step that we have to go through.” Said Tony Forbes

Tony Forbes also said that it was anti-climatic that the suspect’s face was hidden and that the public and impacted families deserved to see their faces. The court later ruled that there were two security concerns for the suspects and they were ordered to remove their face coverings. Check out their picture posted by Twitter user @AM_Blujay

Provincial Commissioner received praise, Bheki Cele under scrutiny

Many South Africans have taken to the Twitter platform (X) to share their views on the case especially as it pertains to the work of South African police minister Bheki Cele and KZN Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Many question the role of Bheki Cele with one user saying:

“Bheki Cele Needs To Recuse Himself From Being Part Of This Case…His Close Relationship With Moses Should Be Questioned… Is He There To Defeat The Ends Of Justice? Is He There To Intimidate? Is He There To Serve A “Political Cover”? #JusticeForAKA – @DZumaSambudla.

Some even noticed that in court, Tony Forbes skipped Minister Bheki Cele to shake the provincial commissioner’s hand and wondered what the reason may be. Meanwhile, many users express their support for Commissioner Mkhwanazi, even suggesting that he be considered for minister of police.