The seventh suspect linked to the assassination of popular rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, in Durban has been arrested, the police confirmed on Wednesday.
The arrest comes after the police revealed on Tuesday evening that they had arrested six suspects – two spotters, an individual who supplied guns and vehicles, a coordinator, and two shooters.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed to Sunday World that the seventh suspect, a spotter, has been arrested.
“Yes, we can confirm the arrest of the seventh suspect. He will appear together with the four [other men] on Thursday,” said Netshiunda.
The suspects are scheduled to appear at the Durban magistrate’s court.
On Tuesday evening, the police revealed that there were three spotters involved in the murder of AKA.
One was at the King Shaka International Airport, another at Wish Restaurant, and the third spotter was at the hotel where AKA was staying.
The plan was to kill AKA inside his car
The police also revealed that the intention of the hitmen was not to take him out at the popular eatery located on Durban’s Florida Road. They had planned to execute him inside his vehicle.
These are among the explosive details contained in the police preliminary investigation report.
While they continue to establish the motive behind the murder, which is still the subject of the investigation, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, stated at a media briefing on Tuesday that Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane was merely caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“The plan was not to shoot him [AKA] in the manner they did, they were going to shoot him in the vehicle, but because he stood longer outside greeting his friends, the hitmen did not want to wait,” said Mkhwanazi.
“That’s why they came for him. The second victim was shot by coincidence.”
The hit was well-coordinated
The media briefing was also attended by Police Minister Bheki Cele and national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
It also emerged that the hit was well-coordinated.
The police also stated that the assassins were paid by one of the men who was the mastermind behind the murder.
He is believed to have planned the hit, hired the guns and vehicles, and paid the assassins when the hit had been successfully concluded.
While there are seven suspects arrested for the February 10 2023 murder, only five men are expected to appear in court on Thursday.
Asked whether the duo was detained in Eswatini and also linked to the murder, Mkhwanazi said there was an ongoing extradition process under way between South African and Eswatini authorities to facilitate the pair’s transportation.
He, however, did not give timelines on when the extradition process might be completed.
