BMW and rental cars linked to AKA murder suspect
KwaZulu-Natal organised crime unit technical detective Sgt Rajen Sanders has identified accused number four, Muziwethemba Gwabeni, as the man who allegedly followed rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes from the airport to his hotel on the day he was murdered.
Sanders told the Durban high court on Thursday that Gwabeni was the man seen in video footage at King Shaka International Airport, following AKA.
This was hours before AKA and his celebrity friend, chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, were gunned down outside the now-defunct Wish restaurant in Florida Road in February 2023.
Gwabeni, 36, as well as Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, 35, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, 23, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, 29, Malusi Dave, 30, and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande, 31, pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
The court was shown CCTV footage in which Gwabeni, wearing a black and white jacket, is seen trailing Forbes at the airport.
He was also seen driving a BMW that he allegedly leased from Imraan Khan, who testified via an affidavit.
More CCTV footage shows the BMW following AKA’s vehicle at the Sanral tollgate near the airport.
Sanders testified that after reviewing the footage with investigating officer W/O Kumarasan Pillay, they concluded the person in the video was Gwabeni.
The state played footage showing vehicles leased by Gwabeni from Sonwabile Bani, a grey VW Polo and a white Hyundai Grand i10, passing the Hilton Hotel in Umhlanga, where AKA and his crew were booked.
Bani confirmed in his testimony this week that the two vehicles belonged to him.
Gwabeni’s lawyer, William Nicholson, objected to Sanders identifying his client in court but judge Nomfundo Sipunzi ruled that the witness could proceed with the identification.
The court previously heard that Gwabeni bought a BMW and later sold it to a mechanic who had been repairing it, in order to defray costs after he failed to pay for the repairs.