Share

WATCH | How men linked to AKA’s murder were arrested – 1 600km from Durban crime scene

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
  • Video footage shows the apprehension of a group of suspects in connection with the murder of rapper AKA.
  • Three men were cornered at the Erica Square shopping centre on Sunday, and two others were arrested elsewhere in Belhar on the same day, Netwerk24 reports.
  • The lead ostensibly came from DNA and fingerprints found in the getaway car.

Heavily armed police officers, after a fortnight of surveilling their targets, took five men in last week, reportedly in connection with the murder of rap superstar Kiernan "AKA" Forbes.

Three men were taken in on Sunday at Erica Square shopping centre in Belhar, about 1 600 kilometres away from where Forbes and his friend, Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane, were shot dead more than a month ago.

Police arrested two other men in the same suburb, Netwerk24 reported on Monday.

According to the publication, officers had been on the suspects' trail for two weeks, following leads in the form of fingerprints and DNA extracted from the getaway car used the night that Forbes and Motsoane were shot dead in KwaZulu-Natal.

How safe is your neighbourhood? Find out by using News24's CrimeCheck

The white Mercedes-Benz had been found deserted in Umlazi, more than 20km from where the two were brazenly gunned down moments after hugging each other goodbye outside Wish on Florida on 10 February.

Police found a car in Umlazi. It is believed to ha
Police found a car in Umlazi. It is believed to have been used by the men who killed Kiernan "AKA" Forbes on 10 February, 2022. Photo: Netwerk24

The investigation, the publication reported, led the task team to a taxi hitman in Empangeni, whose address was confirmed during an elaborate operation, ostensibly to register people for government grants.

Officers posing as government officials reportedly went door to door, and one of the "applicants" signed up the person of interest, who was in the Western Cape at the time.

Police investigating the murder of rapper Kiernan
Police investigating the murder of rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and his friend Tebello Motsoane take three men into custody in Belhar, Cape Town, on 26 March, 2023. Photo: Netwerk24

The man and his alleged associates were traced and kept under surveillance until they were cornered at the Cape Town mall.

Sunday shoppers pushing trolleys and grocery bags gawked as the men, believed to have been involved in the hit six weeks ago, were cornered and taken into custody.

READ | Nadia Nakai returns to work nearly two months after AKA's death: 'You've got this'

Police were tight-lipped about developments in the case.

KZN police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda denied there was an update on the investigation, although they "will provide progress on the matter in due course".



We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. 
Subscribe to News24
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
What's your take on the task team looking into Russian President Vladimir Putin's possible visit to SA in August?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
I doubt they'll find a legal loophole
24% - 1347 votes
Putin is coming, it's just a formality
76% - 4191 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.66
+0.7%
Rand - Pound
24.27
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
21.10
+0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.81
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.14
+0.1%
Platinum
1,022.46
0.0%
Palladium
1,423.51
0.0%
Gold
1,946.69
0.0%
Silver
23.32
0.0%
Brent Crude
76.95
+0.9%
Top 40
71,404
+0.6%
All Share
76,590
+0.5%
Resource 10
67,438
+0.5%
Industrial 25
106,353
+1.0%
Financial 15
14,654
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE