The father of murdered rapper, Kiernan "AKA" Forbes, snubbed police Minister Bheki Cele in court today. Entering the public gallery, where Cele and KwaZulu Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi were seating, Forbes passed the minister and smiled at Mkhwanazi and gave him a handshake. The late rapper's father ignored Cele who tried to reach out for a handshake.

OPTIMISTIC FOR ANSWERS 

Speaking to ZiMoja,Tony Forbes said he was slightly optimistic that police might find answers to his son's death. This is after five men out of seven appeared at the Durban Magistrates Court today for the murder of his son and celebrity chef Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane. The suspects were arrested between April last year and February this year, with the seventh suspect having been arrested yesterday. The men face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, among others. Mkhwanazi confirmed the news of the arrest of two of the suspects by Eswatini authorities on Tuesday night.

'THEY LOOK LIKE ORDINARY PEOPLE"

Forbes said it was all new to him that alleged killers are covering their faces when South Africans longs to see their faces. He said he was surprised by how the accused appeared in court with faces with masks. "They look like ordinary people who have committed something so horrific for money. It's just a reflection of our society," Tony said adding that he needed their faces to be fully visible and not be covered in masks or their faces lowered. "I don't understand why they are appearing in public with masks on. I understand it's part of the Covid-19 restrictions, but they should not be able to hide behind masks." He further said, " the same way my son's killing was public, we need to see them. The justice system needs to be reviewed." Two of the alleged killers arrested in Eswatini are brothers, Lindokuhle and Siyabonga Ndimande, and are waiting to be extradited. "From the beginning we were told that extradition can be complex and will take about three months. We shall wait," Tony said.

MASTERMIND HAS NOT BEEN ARRESTED

Tony said this has been a tough time for his family. "It has been difficult for all of us as a family, extended family and friends." He said AKA's daughter has not quite grasped the news. "I don't think she understands what is happening, " Tony said adding, "The arrests are a start for us to find who is behind all of this. We are still at the start." He doesn't believe that the true mastermind behind the killings is among the seven men arrested. " I think the Commissioner meant that the coordinator is the one who received the sum of money and shared it with six other people. The question is, where did the money come from?" he asked.