AKA Murder Trial: Driver Mistook Deadly Gunshots For Fireworks Outside Durban Restaurant

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.

According to TimesLIVE, Simphiwe Ngidi, the driver who transported the late rapper and his entourage on the night of his murder, has recounted the terrifying moments that unfolded outside the now-closed Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on 10 February 2023.

Testifying at the Durban High Court, Ngidi, a club promoter who had hired a Hyundai Staria for the evening, described how what began as an ordinary outing ended in bloodshed. He had collected AKA and his crew from King Shaka International Airport before driving them to the restaurant, where they met up with the rapper’s friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, and other companions.

The group was saying their goodbyes and making their way through a passage towards the street when a sudden, deafening bang shattered the moment.

Ngidi said he noticed sparks and initially thought someone had set off fireworks. However, the confusion quickly turned into panic as those present rushed back into the restaurant, desperately seeking shelter from the gunfire.

“We checked ourselves to see if we were not injured,” he recalled.

After establishing that they had not been hurt, the group began asking where AKA was. When Ngidi stepped outside again, he was confronted with a devastating scene. The rapper was lying on the ground, while Tibz was attempting to crawl towards the restaurant. Blood was visible, making it clear that the incident was far more serious than they had first imagined.

The reality of the shooting had replaced the initial belief that the noise was harmless. AKA had been gunned down, while his friend was also critically caught up in the attack.

The rapper’s bodyguard had reportedly fled into the restaurant alongside the others as the shooting unfolded. An ambulance was subsequently called as the group grappled with the aftermath of the attack.

Seven men are standing trial in connection with the murders of AKA and Tibz. They are Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, Malusi Dave and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande. All seven have pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. One of the accused also faces additional charges connected to an earlier killing of a taxi boss.

During his testimony, Ngidi further disclosed that police had confiscated his cellphone for almost two weeks as part of their investigation. He said he was never informed about what investigators had discovered from the device.

The trial is ongoing, with the court expected to hear further testimony from a witness appearing virtually from Gauteng as proceedings continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.