Police officers have arrested six suspects behind the murder of infamous South African rapper Kiernan Jarryd Forbes popularly known as AKA, and his former manager and friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
South African Police Minister Bheki Cele, Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola made the announcement on Tuesday, February 28, evening.
According to Mkhwanazi, the suspects included a coordinator, the mastermind, two shooters, two spotters and a firearm and gateway vehicle organizer.
“These six suspects played different roles during the operation. We have the coordinator, who is basically the master of everything. He is in custody. We have two shooters that you all saw on social media.
“We have two spotters, one of the spotters was inside the restaurant observing, watching Mr. Forbes and his friends, as well as the organizer of firearms and vehicles, because the vehicle used as a getaway and firearms used to shoot, they were all hired,” Mkhwanazi said.
Police Reveal How the Six Plotted the Murder
Mkhwanazi explained that the spotters followed AKA and his friend from the airport to the restaurant where they had their last meal.
The spotter, he noted, was also responsible for bringing together the team and the payout after the job was done.
At the same time, all six suspects were connected to other separate murders and crimes, which were not revealed in detail.
“The six of them, the spotter initially followed Forbes from the airport on arrival all the way to the hotel as well as to the restaurant where the incident happened. He was also responsible for the payment after the job was done and bringing the team together.
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“The person in charge of the firearms is linked to another murder case. The other spotters and shooters are also linked to other murder cases,” he added.
During the hunt for the suspects, police recovered firearms, four vehicles and cartridges that linked the crime scene to the recovered firearms.
“In total of the exhibits we have recovered, four vehicles and firearms that were used. The first vehicle, a Marcedes Benz was recovered on March 6 in 2023, the second recovery was a firearm on 27 April.
“In June 23, the team linked the cartridges and firearms to the murder scene. A BMW that was following Mr. Forbes was also recovered,” he said.
The Death of AKA
AKA and his friend were shot dead outside a restaurant on Florida Road in February 2023 as they left a restaurant.
The shooting incident was recorded by CCTV cameras and extensively shared on African social media platforms.
Subsequently, the attackers fled the location on foot.
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This tragic event occurred within a period of less than two years since the passing of his fiancée, Anele “Nellie” Tembe. She lost her life in 2021 due to injuries sustained from a fall from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Loop Street, Cape Town.
Forbes began his music journey as a member of the rap group Entity before venturing into a solo career, earning numerous accolades in South Africa for his musical contributions.
Internationally acclaimed, he received multiple nominations for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the United States and an MTV Europe Music Award.
Shortly before his passing, the 35-year-old shared on social media updates about his upcoming album, “Mass Country.”
