The Durban High Court has agreed to separate the trials for one of the suspects in the murder case of rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his celebrity chef friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane. The seven accused in the case had brought an application seeking to have their matter heard separately from co-accused Eddie Myeza. Myeza faces additional charges of murder and attempted murder for a separate incident that took place in May 2022.
The state had told the court that the matters were consolidated due to evidence showing the same firearm was used in both shootings. However, Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi sided with the defence and granted their application to separate Myeza's May 2022 murder charge from the AKA trial. This decision allows the trial for the six other suspects to proceed separately from Myeza's trial for the additional charges.
The pair, Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane, were shot outside a restaurant on Durban's Florida Road in February 2023. The six suspects who brought the application claimed that not separating the trials would cause unnecessary delays. The court has now ruled that Accused 3, Eddie Myeza, shall stand trial on counts 12 to 17 relating to the May 2022 incident separate from the other six accused.
The reasons for the court's ruling will be given when the full judgment is delivered. The trial for the six suspects in the AKA murder case will proceed with counts 1-11 relating to the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane. The separation of trials is expected to streamline the judicial process and allow for a more efficient trial.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victims. Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes was a well-known rapper, and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane was a celebrity chef. The investigating officer had previously stated that the gun used to kill the rapper was linked to another murder, highlighting the complexity of the case.
The court's decision to separate the trials is a significant development in the case. The trial for Eddie Myeza's additional charges will now proceed separately, allowing the court to focus on the AKA murder case. The six other suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Key points
- The Durban High Court has separated the trials for one of the suspects in the murder case of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane.
- The suspect, Eddie Myeza, faces additional charges of murder and attempted murder for a separate incident in May 2022.
- The trial for the six other suspects will proceed with counts 1-11 relating to the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane.
