Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Chris Makhaye
Published on 2024-02-29 14:08:05
In a momentous day at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on the 29th of February, a strong police presence was evident as five suspects appeared in connection to the fatal shooting of AKA and Tibz Motsoane on the 10th of February 2023 outside a popular restaurant on Florida Road in Durban. The high-profile nature of the case had attracted international attention, prompting top detectives to be assigned to the investigation to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
The suspects, identified as Lindokuhle Thakani, Lindani Ndimande, Eddie Myeza, Muzi Gwabeni, and Lindo Ndimande, faced a total of 10 charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The courtroom was filled with notable figures such as Police Minister Bheki Cele, SAPS KZN Provincial Head Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and Tony Forbes, AKA’s father, who had been vocal about seeking justice for his son.
The case was postponed to the 6th of March to allow for the verification of the accused’s residential addresses and to facilitate bail hearings. Two additional suspects who were arrested in eSwatini were in the process of being extradited to join the five men in court. The police had meticulously tracked down the suspects through their movements, bank accounts, and contacts to ensure a solid case against them.
The sequence of events leading up to AKA’s assassination included the tragic death of his fiancé, Anele Tembe, who fell from the 10th floor of a hotel in Cape Town in April 2021. Her death was recorded as a suicide, and no one was prosecuted for it, much to the dismay of her family. Detectives working on the current case believed that Tibz Motsoane was an unintended target and that AKA was the primary focus of the assailants, who had allegedly been tracking him since his arrival at the airport.
Tony Forbes expressed a sense of partial relief upon seeing the suspects in court but emphasized that this was just the beginning of the legal process. He remained hopeful that the court proceedings would shed light on the motives behind his son’s murder and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. The suspects, represented by their respective legal counsels, were anticipating a lengthy legal battle ahead before the trial could commence.
As the court proceedings unfolded, the gravity of the situation was palpable, with the families of the victims seeking closure and justice for their loved ones. The meticulous investigative work carried out by the police had culminated in the apprehension of the suspects, signaling a significant step towards accountability and closure for the families involved. The upcoming trial would serve as a platform for the truth to emerge and for justice to prevail in a case that had captured the attention of a nation and beyond.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
