Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested the outstanding suspect in the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane. The 30-year-old suspect was arrested today bringing the total number of suspects arrested for the murders to seven. Last night, KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi painted a picture of events leading to the arrest of the six suspects linked to the celebrities' murders.

DETAILS OF INVESTIGATIONS 

Details leading to AKA's death according to the police state that the rapper was hired by a Philani Kweyama to perform at club Hugo in Durban 10 February 2023. The rapper is said to have arrived on the day at the King Shaka international airport in Durban. "The first deceased (AKA) travelled with his entourage comprising of a DJ, bodyguard, manager and photographer. They were picked up at the airport and taken to the Hilton Hotel in Umhlanga. From the airport, the entourage was followed by a grey BMW to the hotel, a grey polo was also seen passing by the hotel and it was later established that this was the 'spotter's' vehicle," said Mkhwanazi. He said the spotter followed AKA from the hotel all the way to WISH restaurant, where the rapper was offered a haircut whilst his friends had drinks at the bar. He said a white Mercedes Benz was also spotted passing by the restaurant. "Around 10:10pm AKA, Tibz and the rest of the entourage are seen exiting the restaurant. The first deceased and the second deceased are seen conversing and hugging each other. The first suspect wearing a red cap is seen crossing Florida Road and approaching AKA from behind. At the same time, a second suspect is seen approaching and positioning himself between two vehicles. The first suspect then walked closer to AKA and shot him in the head. The second suspect maintaining his position also fired shots which led to Tibz getting shot. Forbes fell down while the second deceased ran to a passage but also fell there."

ROLE PLAYERS

Mkhwanazi said the six suspects played different roles during the operation. "We have a coordinator, who is the master of everything and is currently in custody. We have two shooters that you all saw on social media, we have two spotters, one of them was inside the restaurant observing Mr Forbes and his friends. We also have the organiser of firearms and getaway vehicles." He said the first arrest was made in April last year where the owner of two hired vehicles that were used in the process of committing the crime was nabbed. The first arrest of the vehicle supplier took place on 22 April 2023, a spotter was nabbed on 24 October 2023 and a third suspect on 14 December 2023. Two suspects believed to be brothers were arrested on Saturday morning, 24 February, in Eswatini. They are still to be extradited to South Africa." All suspects, including the seventh one who was arrested today, are due in court tomorrow.