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R10 Million Shadow Hangs Over AKA Murder Trial As Court Lifts The Veil On A Calculated Hit. The trial of seven men accused of murdering Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane has brought renewed attention to the money allegedly linked to the rapper’s killing, with claims of a R10 million hit circulating on social media.
As proceedings continue at the Durban High Court, evidence presented by the State has shed light on the alleged planning, surveillance and financial transactions surrounding the fatal shooting on Florida Road in February 2023. However, the widely circulated R10 million figure, alongside claims about how the money was allegedly divided among those involved, has not been established as court evidence in those exact terms.
What has emerged in court is a financial trail involving more than R800 000 reportedly deposited into the account of accused Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni around the time of the killings. While the State has raised questions about the transaction, the defence maintains that the money was connected to a legitimate business deal.
The allegations have fuelled questions about who may have financed the operation and whether the person who allegedly ordered the killing has been identified.
CCTV footage presented during the proceedings has also offered a closer look at the movements of the men accused of carrying out the attack. The footage reportedly tracks one of the accused following AKA from King Shaka International Airport, with surveillance continuing as the rapper travelled through toll gates and visited hotels and restaurants.
The State alleges that the movements formed part of a carefully planned operation that culminated in the shooting outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road on 10 February 2023. AKA and Tibz were fatally shot, bringing an abrupt end to the lives of two prominent figures whose deaths sent shockwaves across South Africa.
Seven men are standing trial in connection with the killings: Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande, and brothers Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande.
The accused have pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, attempted murder and various firearm-related offences.
Ballistics evidence presented by the State has reportedly linked firearms recovered from some of the accused to the Florida Road shooting and an earlier killing involving a taxi boss in 2022. Eyewitness accounts have also formed part of the case, with some witnesses testifying virtually because of safety concerns. The prosecution has indicated that it intends to call approximately 45 witnesses.
Despite the evidence presented so far, the question of who allegedly commissioned the killings remains central to public interest in the case. While financial transactions and alleged surveillance activities have drawn attention, they have yet to establish publicly who may have ordered the attack.
The R10 million figure has added another layer to the online conversation, but speculation about the alleged payment and the identity of a possible mastermind must be distinguished from evidence tested in court.
For South Africans who followed AKA’s rise from a celebrated hip-hop artist to one of the country’s most influential musical figures, the proceedings carry significance beyond the courtroom. Known for songs such as “All Eyes on Me” and “Lemons,” the rapper built a legacy that extended across music, fashion and popular culture.
His death, alongside that of Tibz, left a lasting mark on the country’s entertainment industry and prompted widespread calls for justice. The possibility that the killing may have involved extensive planning and financial arrangements has only intensified public interest in the case.
As the trial progresses, the State will continue presenting its evidence while the defence challenges the allegations against the accused. The proceedings are expected to examine the alleged movements of those involved, the financial transactions under scrutiny and the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
For now, the identity of the person who may have ordered the killings remains an unanswered question in the broader public narrative. Whether further evidence will shed light on the alleged financial arrangements and the individuals behind the attack remains to be seen.
With the trial continuing, South Africa is watching closely for answers in a case that has remained one of the country’s most closely followed murder investigations.
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