Suspects fled to Eswatini 4 months before AKA, Tibz murders – Family

The family of four of the seven men arrested in connection with the murder of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, say two of the suspects fled to Eswatini because of an ongoing taxi war.

‘WE’VE LOST FAMILY MEMBERS AT THE HANDS OF THE POLICE‘

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, a relative expressed that the arrests may have saved the two men from the wrath of the police who have allegedly shot and killed some of their family members.

“We’ve lost family members at the hands of the police. It is better that they were arrested outside of South Africa, rather than them being killed by the police,” said the unidentified man.

On Tuesday, 27 February, the South African Police Services (SAPS) revealed that six suspects were arrested in connection with AKA and Tibz’s 10 February 2023 murders. The seventh suspect was arrested the next day.

FAMILY DON’T BELIEVE SUSPECTS IN ESWATINI ARE LINKED TO AKA AND TIBZ’S MURDERS

The family member says they do not believe the two men were arrested for assassinating the two media personalities.

According to the relative, the two suspects were fleeing from an ongoing taxi war which resulted in eight of their family members being killed.

“After the deaths of the eight family members, we decided to retaliate. Police then intervened.

“A team was deployed by Police Minister Bheki Cele to intervene and they were there to resolve the dispute in eThekwini. We agreed to that, but the police then pursued our children. The children then went into hiding, including in Eswatini,” he further says.

“Police arrived here with warrant officer Maharaj from Durban Central and he said he was looking for these boys. He said he knew that they were heavily armed and that he’d shoot and kill them. That signalled that the boys should hide.”

In addition, the relative said that the men went into hiding four months before AKA and Tibz were killed. However, they are not confirming or denying their children’s involvement.

COURT APPEARANCE

According to the SAPS, the two brothers are in custody in Eswatini and will be extradited soon.

Meanwhile, their five alleged accomplices – Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi (30), Lindelani Ndimade (30), Siyanda Myeza (21), Mziwethemba Gwabeni (36) and Lindokuhle Ndimande (29) — appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court on Thursday, 29 February.

They are facing 10 charges, including two charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition among others

The case has been postponed to Wednesday, 6 March, for further investigations.