The Durban High Court has lifted its ban on reporting witness evidence in the murder trial of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, allowing media to broadcast testimony as the trial proceeds.
Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi changed an earlier directive that had restricted journalists from reporting witness testimony during its presentation. The new directive permits accredited media to report on testimonies and evidence, while still keeping witnesses’ identities confidential.
This change comes as the state begins to present evidence, including details from a May 2022 shooting in Mayville linked to the investigation into Forbes and Motsoane’s deaths.
A retired police officer, who cannot be named, testified about the May shooting at a BP garage in Durban, where taxi boss Gift Khanyile and his bodyguards were shot. He reported that 30 spent cartridges were found at the scene, and a white Toyota Etios, believed to be used by the attackers, was discovered nearby with blood stains and fingerprints.
The court heard that the gun used in the Mayville shooting was linked to the murders of Forbes and Motsoane through ballistic evidence, a point of contention regarding whether charges against Siyanda Eddie Myeza should be part of the main trial. The court decided these charges will be handled separately.
Today’s evidence suggests a connection between the earlier shooting and the firearm evidence in the case against AKA and Tibz. Myeza faces charges in both incidents, but his Mayville charges are proceeding independently from the main case involving Forbes and Motsoane.
All seven accused pleaded not guilty at the trial’s start on Monday.
Following a disruption during Tuesday’s proceedings caused by a cellphone reportedly found with one of the accused, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, security has been tightened. The trial has been postponed until Wednesday, although the cellphone issue was not addressed when proceedings resumed.
The trial continues in the Durban High Court, with the state poised to present further evidence against the accused.
