South African police arrest six for murder of rapper, AKA

South African police have apprehended six suspects connected with the murder of popular rapper, Kiernan Forbes, mostly known as AKA, and his close friend, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Tebello “Tibz” Motshoane.

The duo were murdered on February 10, 2023, while walking with a friend outside a popular Durban restaurant hours before he was to perform at a nearby club.

AKA started his musical profession as part of the rap group ‘Entity’ before he ventured into a lone career.

Until his demise, he won several awards in South Africa and was lauded globally. He earned Black Entertainment Television and MTV Europe nominations and he was honoured posthumously in the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.

According to the police, the suspects are 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. We know they were paid for this,” KwaZulu-Natal provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said Tuesday night.