Today Marks One Year Since AKA’s Tragic Murder
Exactly one year ago today, South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, better known as AKA, fell victim to a suspected hit on Durban’s bustling Florida Road. Police have disclosed that while some of the perpetrators are already in custody, others remain at large, as law enforcement diligently pursues a thorough, prosecution-driven investigation into the nation-shaking homicide that occurred last February.
AKA, affectionately dubbed the SUPA MEGA, was fatally shot at close range by assailants as he exited the Wish Restaurant, moments before his scheduled performance at the Yugo nightclub. Tragically, his long-time friend and former manager, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane, was also fatally wounded in the attack, which occurred as the two shared a final embrace outside the eatery.
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The incident came amidst AKA’s first visit to Durban following the untimely death of his former fiancée, Anele Tembe, who tragically fell from the tenth floor of a Cape Town hotel under mysterious circumstances. Despite initial reports suggesting suicide, her family, notably her father Moses, refuted such claims during her funeral in April 2021, asserting that Anele was not suicidal.
In a recent podcast interview, AKA’s father, Tony, publicly expressed his belief that the relationship between Anele and his son should never have transpired. He vehemently denied allegations that AKA played any role in Anele’s death, dismissing accusations of foul play. Tony also disclosed that tensions had arisen between the Tembe and Forbes families.
Despite the passage of a year since AKA’s murder, no official arrests have been made, although reports from March last year suggested that police had detained at least five individuals linked to the crime in Cape Town. While some suspects are in custody on unrelated charges, they have yet to face formal charges related to AKA’s murder.
In an update released on Saturday, the South African Police Services (SAPS) outlined their ongoing efforts in the investigation. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe emphasized their commitment to solving the case, highlighting the collaboration with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in KwaZulu-Natal. Mathe reassured the affected families and the public of progress in the investigation, affirming positive evidence linking identified suspects and ongoing efforts to locate fugitives.
Acknowledging limited communication with the affected families due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, Mathe pledged to enhance communication in the future. Meanwhile, AKA’s father, Tony Forbes, has asserted his belief that his son’s murder was a meticulously planned and well-funded assassination, echoing suspicions of foul play surrounding the tragic event.