The AKA murder trial has heard fresh evidence that a R28 parking payment at King Shaka International Airport was made using a virtual card linked to Mziwethemba Gwabeni's account. The payment was made at 3:54 pm on February 10, 2023, using an iPhone. This new evidence supports previous CCTV footage that appeared to show Gwabeni limping and following rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes while on his cellphone at the airport that day.
FNB employee Ashley Wilson testified that the virtual card was linked to Gwabeni's account and was used to make the parking payment. Wilson's testimony contradicts Gwabeni's denial during his 2024 bail application that he was not the person who made the airport payment. The court is currently examining Gwabeni's bank statements, displayed on a large screen, as Wilson takes the court through transactions relevant to the State's case.
The virtual card was also linked to a payment at the Nelakhe Caltex garage in Umlazi, where it was allegedly used to pay for petrol shortly after AKA and his friend, celebrity chef Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane, were shot dead outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road. This payment is significant in light of earlier evidence tracing the movements of two vehicles of interest in the case — a grey VW Polo and a Hyundai Grand i10.
Tracker data previously presented to the court showed that both vehicles, allegedly hired by Gwabeni, were in the Jacobs area before travelling in different directions. The Hyundai Grand i10 headed towards Umlazi, while the VW Polo was recorded on Florida Road. The State alleges that the getaway vehicle used by the shooters was collected in the Jacobs area before the murders.
Earlier CCTV evidence from Cappello and AuthentiQ restaurant on Florida Road showed accused Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande getting out of the VW Polo before the shootings. The tracking data later placed both vehicles at the Umlazi garage at about 11 pm. Wilson also testified about Bright Circle, the company from which more than R800,000 was deposited into Gwabeni's account on February 11, 2023.
Wilson told the court that Bright Circle was registered in November 2017, had a Glenwood address, and listed Mfundo Gcaba as its sole director. Gcaba is a member of the prominent and controversial Gcaba family linked to the taxi industry in KwaZulu-Natal. Documents relating to the company were handed in as exhibits.
Gwabeni and Ndimande are standing trial alongside Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, and brothers Malusi Dave Ndimande and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande for the murders of AKA and Tibz. The trial continues.
Key points
- A virtual card linked to Mziwethemba Gwabeni's account was used to make a R28 parking payment at King Shaka International Airport on February 10, 2023.
- The same virtual card was also linked to a payment at the Nelakhe Caltex garage in Umlazi, where petrol was allegedly purchased after the murders.
- Tracker data and CCTV evidence have placed the accused at the scene of the crime, and the trial continues to hear evidence from witnesses.
