South African police arrest six for murder of rapper AKA

Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders of well-known South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, and his close friend, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Tebello “Tibz” Motshoane.

The pair was gunned down outside a restaurant in Durban a year ago, in a killing that shocked South Africans.

Investigations have revealed that hitmen were paid to kill the musician.

The suspects, all aged below 36, are due to appear in court on Thursday.

“It was clear that AKA was monitored from the airport and Tibz was not the intended target in the murder on Florida Road in Durban,” Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, said in a press briefing on Tuesday night.

“We know they were paid for this,” Lt Gen Mkwananzi added.

The motive for the killing was not revealed.

Lt Gen Mkhwanazi said that the six accused men played different roles in the plot to kill AKA.

The suspects who are behind bars include two gunmen who fired several rounds at the victims, two spotters who followed them from Durban’s airport, someone who sourced the firearms which were used in the ambush, as well as the mastermind.