The trial of seven men accused of murdering rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane began in the Durban high court on Monday. The accused, who are all from South Africa, pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm. The case has garnered significant attention due to its high-profile nature and the detailed evidence being presented.
According to evidence presented in court, a gun linked to the murders of AKA and Tibz was found on Siyanda Eddie Myeza, the youngest of the seven accused. Witness B, a tactical response team member, testified that she and her colleagues arrested Myeza at a house in Umlazi L section following a Crime Intelligence lead. She stated that they found the gun on Myeza’s waist, which was described as a Norigo Star semi-automatic pistol.
However, Myeza’s legal representative, advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa, disputed this claim, arguing that it was impossible for Myeza to have carried a weapon on his waist due to a leg cast that ran from his ankle to his groin. Myeza himself denied having been found with a gun on him at the time of his arrest, which occurred two months after the murders of AKA and Tibz in 2023.
The state had previously described Myeza as a supplier of a getaway vehicle and two firearms allegedly used in the February 2023 murders during his bail application in 2024. On Wednesday, a former cop provided an important ballistic link between the two crimes, supporting the state's claims. This witness testimony was crucial in establishing a connection between the accused and the crime.
Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi amended her ruling on media coverage of the trial, allowing media to report on witness testimony without revealing their identities or information that could identify them. This decision aims to protect the witnesses while still allowing the public to be informed about the trial proceedings. The judge's ruling highlights the delicate balance between media freedom and witness protection.
In addition to the main case, Myeza faces six additional counts relating to the May 2022 murder of taxi boss Gift Khanyile, the attempted murder of two others, and the theft of a car registered at the Mayville police station. Khanyile was killed during a shootout at a BP filling station on Jan Smuts Highway in Mayville, Durban. These additional charges further complicate Myeza's situation and increase the stakes for his defense.
The matter was adjourned to Monday, with two other witnesses, also police officers, set to lead evidence in relation to counts 9 and 11 — relating to the unlawful possession of ammunition and a 9x19mm calibre semi-automatic pistol without a licence. The trial's progression will likely continue to draw significant attention from the public and media, given its high-profile nature and the seriousness of the charges.
Key points
- The trial of seven men accused of murdering AKA and Tibz began in the Durban high court, with conflicting testimonies emerging over a gun found on one of the accused.
- The state claims the gun was linked to the murders, while the accused and his representative dispute this claim due to a leg cast.
- The trial has been adjourned to Monday, with further witness testimony expected to shed more light on the case.
