AKA murder ‘mastermind’ unmasked… case transferred to Durban High Court

South African police have pinpointed alleged hitman Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, 36 as the mastermind behind the murder of rap heavyweight Kiernan AKA Forbes, as they believe he is the one who coordinated the hit that took the music star’s life two years ago.

AKA and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were shot dead outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on February 10 2023. AKA was shot in the head from behind, execution style, and died instantly.

The five men linked to the murder of the rapper and his celebrity chef friend Motsoane were served with high court indictments on Friday.

Harvey Gwabeni Lindokuhle Ndimande, 29, Siyanda Eddie Myeza,21, Lindani Zenzele Ndiamande,35, and 30-year-old Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi were served with an indictment containing the charges they face.

According to the indictments, Gwabeni masterminded the hit, giving precise instructions to his co-accused before the rapper was shot.

According to the state, Gwabeni had been lying in wait at the airport waiting for Forbes to arrive. He then tailed him all the way to Durban’s posh suburb of uMhlanga.

The cellphone records also point to Gwabeni having incessantly made a call to the other accused purportedly updating them about Forbes’ movements.

The state’s case hinges on the key evidence collected by SAPS investigators. These include ballistics tests, CCTV footage taken at the King Shaka International Airport and the pay toll about 3km away from the airport.

They include among others, Hilton hotel footage where AKA and his entourage had booked in.

“During January to February 2023 and at or near Durban within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and other places presently unknown to the state, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally conspire amongst each other to procure the commission to commit the offence of murder to unlawfully and intentionally kill Kiernan Jarryd Forbes,” reads the indictment in part.