Slain rapper AKA was killed on 10 February 2023. Image via Instagram @Image akaworldwide
AKA murder: How an airtime slip ‘helped’ in the investigation
CCTV footage capturing the getaway vehicle, DNA samples, fingerprints and an airtime slip all played a role in finding AKA’s alleged killers.
Slain rapper AKA was killed on 10 February 2023. Image via Instagram @Image akaworldwide
About a month and a half after AKA and Tibz’s brutal murders, their killers have allegedly been arrested. This is according to various media reports from IOL who broke the story on Sunday, 26 March.
According to the publication, various information helped lead the police investigating the case to the suspects, including an airtime slip.
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AN AIRTIME SLIP ‘LED’ TO THE ARREST OF AKA AND TIBZ’S ALLEGED KILLERS
A white Mercedes-Benz, which was the alleged killers’ getaway vehicle, was captured by CCTV footage in a Durban suburb just minutes after the shooting. The car was later found deserted in a Durban township.
A source revealed to the publication that when the vehicle was allegedly searching for clues, DNA and fingerprints were extracted. In addition, police allegedly found an airtime slip belonging to one of the suspects.
Police reportedly used the airtime slip to track one of the hitmen’s girlfriends and she was interrogated.
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CCTV FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT
According to TimesLIVE, a source also revealed that the CCTV footage from Wish on Florida also played a major role in arresting the suspects. The footage that police had in their possession is much clearer than the one leaked on social media.
“In the original footage the cops were able to zoom in quite significantly,” said the source.
In addition, Netwerk24 reported that police posed as Sassa agents going door to door to help people register for grants. When one of the “applicants” signed up the person of interest — a taxi hitman from Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) — they established that he was already in Cape Town together with his alleged accomplices where they were arrested on Sunday.
ALSO READ: CCTV footage: Tracing the two gunmen who murdered AKA, Tibz
POLICE’S STATEMENT ON THE MATTER
On Wednesday, 29 March, the South African Police Service (SAPS) released a statement regarding reports about a breakthrough in the investigation into AKA and Tibz murders.
KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said although police understand that AkA’s murder attracted media attention and that the public awaits with bated breath for any developments, they are calling upon the media and everyone else to refrain from making reports that have the potential of jeopardising ongoing investigations.
“Such reports also have a potential of putting at risk the lives of the people purported to have been arrested as well as endangering the lives of individuals who are portrayed as police officers in photographs and videos which have been doing the rounds on certain websites and social media platforms,” he said.
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He said police were appealing for space and time to investigate the matter without undue pressure and unwarranted scrutiny from armchair investigators, analysts and faceless so-called sources who are claiming to be closer to the investigations.
“Police are duty-bound to keep the victims’ families abreast about any developments in the investigations. These irresponsible reportings rub salt into the fresh wounds of the family members who have put their faith on law enforcement to bring perpetrators to book and for justice to prevail.
