Seven suspects have been arrested over the alleged murder of Kiernan Forbes, the South African rapper better known as AKA.
AKA was shot dead outside a restaurant in the coastal city of Durban on February 10, 2023.
The rapper and Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motshoane, his close friend, were walking to their car when they were approached by two armed men who shot them at close range. The perpetrators then fled the scene on foot.
In a press briefing on Tuesday night, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, said the suspects are due to appear in court on Thursday.
Mkhwanazi, a lieutenant-general, also revealed how the suspects were apprehended and the alleged roles they played in the rapper’s murder.
“It was clear that AKA was monitored from the airport and Tibz was not the intended target in the murder on Florida Road in Durban,” he said.
“We know they were paid for this.”
The suspects who are in police custody include two gunmen who allegedly killed the rapper and his friend and three spotters who are accused of following AKA from Durban’s airport.
Also detained is the person who allegedly sourced the firearms that were used in the ambush, and the alleged mastermind.
BBC quoted the police as saying that a seventh suspect was arrested on Wednesday morning.
The seventh man was a 30-year-old South African citizen originally from KwaZulu-Natal province. He is accused of acting as a spotter.
AKA began his musical career as part of the rap group Entity. He thereafter launched his solo career.
The rapper won numerous awards in South Africa and is globally recognised for his craft.(The Cable)
