The trial of seven men accused of murdering South African musician Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and his friend Tabello "Tibz" Motsoane was halted temporarily at the Durban High Court due to security concerns. The development occurred when police discovered a cell phone on one of the accused, Mziwethemba Gwabeni. According to reports, Gwabeni had received the cell phone from an attorney not associated with the case.
The incident took place shortly after Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi ruled that six of the charges against the third accused, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, would be heard separately. Following the ruling, the court took a short recess, and all attorneys left the courtroom. Upon their return, the prosecution team, led by Advocate Lawrence Gcaba, appeared to be discussing a matter in hushed tones.
Gcaba requested that they return to the judge's chambers, citing a critical issue that had arisen. Judge Sipunzi left the courtroom, followed by the attorneys, and police officers stationed inside the courtroom were also summoned to the chambers. After a brief period, the judge's secretary returned to the courtroom, looking visibly shaken, and ordered members of the public to leave.
The police officers inside the courtroom were instructed to move to the back benches, while journalists were asked to display their accreditation tags to continue covering the trial. The accused were then brought back into the courtroom before Judge Sipunzi returned. The judge attributed the temporary halt to a security concern, emphasizing that it did not involve any threat to the public.
According to reliable sources, the security concern began when police observed an attorney not involved in the case entering the courtroom, proceeding down the stairs, and disappearing into a tunnel with a white object in hand. Later, when the attorney returned without the object, police suspicions were raised.
A search was conducted, and Gwabeni was found to be in possession of a Hisense Y83 cell phone, which was concealed in his jacket. Sources revealed that Gwabeni had received the cell phone from the attorney who had been seen exiting the courtroom. It remains unclear whether additional charges will be filed in connection with this incident.
Gwabeni is one of the seven accused, along with Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Myeza, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Mkhwanazi, and the Ndimande brothers, Malusi Dave and Siyabonga Gezani, who are charged with murdering AKA and Tibz in a shooting incident on Florida Road in February 2023. The trial is set to continue.
Key points
- A cell phone was discovered on one of the accused, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, which had been given to him by an attorney not associated with the case.
- The trial was temporarily halted due to security concerns.
- The incident has raised questions about the safety and integrity of the trial proceedings.
