The investigation into the murders of rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes) and his close friend Tibz (Teboho Tsotetsi) has taken a significant step forward, with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi expressing optimism that more arrests are imminent. Nearly a year after the high-profile killings, which occurred outside a Durban restaurant, Mkhwanazi revealed that authorities are steadily piecing together critical evidence, and are now focused on apprehending the masterminds behind the assassinations.
Speaking to eNCA, Mkhwanazi emphasised that while the investigation is still ongoing, the police are confident in their progress. He assured the public that they are inching closer to unmasking those truly responsible for the crime. The commissioner stated:
“We’re looking for the main cause, the people behind this. It will take a while, but the puzzle is coming together.”
Mkhwanazi also hinted that when the case eventually reaches court, there will be new revelations that will shed light on the lengths to which some people are willing to go to have someone killed. He continued, saying:
“When the case is in court, there will be some interesting evidence shared to show the public the extent people go to have someone killed. The picture is emerging, and we’re starting to see something interesting beyond those arrested.”
To date, several arrests have been made in connection with the double murder, including two suspects who are currently being held in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). These suspects are awaiting extradition to South Africa, where they will face charges related to the murders of AKA and Tibz.
Mkhwanazi confirmed that the authorities had received the necessary approval to bring the suspects back to South Africa. He expressed confidence in the strength of their case and reassured the public that the extradition process is being handled appropriately:
“We received authority to bring them here. We have a strong case and are making efforts to extradite them and assured the Eswatini authorities that we’ll do everything accordingly.”
Despite the police’s assurances, many South Africans remain skeptical about the progress of the AKA and Tibz case. Some social media users have drawn comparisons between this investigation and the prolonged, unresolved case of Senzo Meyiwa, the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper who was tragically murdered in 2014.
Commenters on social media have expressed concern that, like Meyiwa’s case, the AKA and Tibz murders may drag on for years without a final resolution.
One user, SirDavid_Dashe, noted: “This case is gonna drag on for years, just like the Senzo Meyiwa case.”
Another user, kekgotso_, shared frustration: “We’ve heard this story before.”
T_touch asked: “This is slowly looking like the Senzo case; how long should we wait before the real killer gets arrested?”
While the police remain hopeful that they are on the right track, the pace of the investigation and the lingering skepticism from the public highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in bringing those responsible for high-profile murders to justice. With key suspects still to be apprehended and the extradition process underway, it remains to be seen how long it will take to bring closure to the families of AKA and Tibz, as well as to the many fans who continue to seek justice.
As the case unfolds, Mzansi will be watching closely, hoping for the long-awaited breakthrough that will finally bring the perpetrators to justice.
