KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi has provided a significant update on the ongoing investigation into the murders of South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his close friend, celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. The case, which has gripped the nation since the tragic events of February 2023, remains active, and according to General Mkhwanazi, more arrests are expected soon.
The latest development was announced on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, shortly after the extradition of Siyabonga Gezani and Malusi David Ndimande from Eswatini. The two brothers, accused of playing central roles in the orchestrated killings, appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrate’s Court. Their case was postponed to 25 November to allow for further legal consultations.
Addressing the media outside the courthouse, General Mkhwanazi confirmed that investigators are still working diligently to uncover additional suspects connected to the high-profile double murder.
General Mkhwanazi Confirms Active Investigation and Possible New Arrests
“What we can tell you is that part of these seven suspects play different roles in the crime,” he explained. “We know there was a head who coordinated everything — that individual paid the entire group after the job was completed. He used his business account to transfer money, which is now part of our financial investigation.”
Mkhwanazi emphasized that the investigation extends beyond the immediate suspects. Police are following a financial trail believed to link Mziwethemba Gwabeni, the alleged coordinator, to other individuals who may have financed or influenced the operation behind the scenes.
According to General Mkhwanazi, detectives are now focused on determining whether more influential figures were involved in orchestrating or funding the assassination plot.
“We are identifying all those who had a business interest or moved money into that account,” Mkhwanazi said. “We’re working to establish exactly who above him might have requested or coordinated this operation. But until we have that concrete evidence, there’s still a lot of investigative work that must be done.”
He added that while speculation continues about possible “big names” behind the crime, the police are proceeding cautiously to ensure that any allegations are backed by solid proof. “If there is a corrupt relationship, we’ll be able to move up the ladder once we have the evidence,” he stated firmly.
The comments from General Mkhwanazi have reignited public interest and hope that the long-awaited answers surrounding the AKA and Tibz murders are finally within reach. Since the shocking shooting outside a Durban nightclub in February 2023, South Africans have demanded justice for the slain rapper and his friend, both beloved figures in the entertainment industry.
Mkhwanazi’s transparency and continued communication with the public have earned him praise for keeping citizens informed. Many have expressed appreciation for the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner’s commitment to seeing the investigation through to its conclusion.
“The public deserves closure,” one social media user commented after Mkhwanazi’s latest briefing. “We trust that General Mkhwanazi and his team will ensure everyone responsible — no matter how powerful — faces justice.”
Over the past two years, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has built a reputation as a determined and methodical leader within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Under his command, the investigation into the AKA and Tibz case has seen multiple breakthroughs, including the identification and arrest of several key suspects linked to the plot.
Mkhwanazi’s leadership style emphasizes evidence-based policing and accountability. His insistence on following financial and digital footprints has been instrumental in unraveling the complex network of individuals involved in the assassination.
He reiterated that the case is not merely about the shooters but about uncovering the entire chain of command — from the financiers to the organizers and the executors. “This is a layered case. We must expose everyone who had a hand in this,” Mkhwanazi emphasized.
As the case resumes later in November, General Mkhwanazi confirmed that police expect new developments soon. Investigators are reportedly working closely with financial institutions, intelligence units, and legal teams to track suspicious transactions that may reveal the identities of those who ordered the hit.
For now, South Africans are watching closely as the investigation unfolds, hopeful that General Mkhwanazi’s unwavering pursuit of justice will finally bring peace to the families of AKA and Tibz.
“The work continues,” Mkhwanazi concluded. “We owe it to the victims, their families, and the people of South Africa to get to the bottom of this, no matter how long it takes.”
Source- Fakaza
