AKA Murder Trial: Driver Mistook Deadly Gunshots For Fireworks Outside Durban Restaurant. A sound that initially seemed like a burst of fireworks would soon become a horrifying reminder of the night South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes was killed.
AKA Murder Trial: Driver Mistook Deadly Gunshots For Fireworks Outside Durban RestaurantAs reported by TimesLIVE, Simphiwe Ngidi, the driver who transported the late rapper and his entourage on the night of his murder, has shared details of the harrowing events that transpired outside the now-closed Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on February 10, 2023.
During his testimony at the Durban High Court, Ngidi, who had rented a Hyundai Staria for the evening, recounted how an ordinary night suddenly escalated into violence. He had picked up AKA and his group from King Shaka International Airport and taken them to the restaurant, where they met the rapper’s friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, and others.
As the group was bidding farewell and moving through a passage toward the street, a loud bang interrupted the atmosphere.
Initially noticing sparks, Ngidi assumed they were fireworks. However, chaos ensued as everyone hurried back into the restaurant, seeking refuge from the gunfire.
“We checked ourselves to see if we were not injured,” he recalled.
After ensuring their safety, the group began to ask about AKA’s whereabouts. When Ngidi ventured outside again, he was met with a distressing sight: AKA lay on the ground while Tibz was struggling to crawl back to the restaurant. Blood was evident, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The initial misunderstanding of the noise had given way to the tragic reality of the shooting. AKA had been shot, with his friend critically injured as well.
Reports indicate that the rapper’s bodyguard had also retreated into the restaurant with the rest of the group as the gunfire erupted. An ambulance was called as those present began to process the traumatic event.
Seven individuals are currently on trial for the murders of AKA and Tibz. The accused are Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, Malusi Dave, and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande. All have entered not guilty pleas for charges including murder, attempted murder, and unlawful firearm possession. One defendant faces additional allegations linked to a previous homicide involving a taxi boss.
In his testimony, Ngidi mentioned that police had taken his cellphone for nearly two weeks as part of the probe, and he had not been informed of any findings from the device.
The trial is ongoing, with the court set to hear further testimony from a witness participating virtually from Gauteng as it continues to investigate the circumstances of the fatal shooting.
