Tony Forbes, the father of slain rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, has expressed his disappointment and shock over the Madlanga Commission’s decision to air graphic footage of his son’s murder during testimony last week.
The footage, which was presented during Sergeant Fannie Nkosi’s testimony, showed a gunman observing AKA before opening fire at point-blank range as the rapper embraced a friend outside a restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road in February 2023.
Concerns Over Sensitivity
Forbes has since formally written to the Commission to voice his concerns, emphasizing the need for sensitivity in handling such traumatic material. He questioned the decision to air the video, stating that he couldn’t understand why Advocate Chaskalson, who had the opportunity to view the footage, allowed it to be broadcast.
‘I am not in a unique position as a father, nor are we as a family in terms of families who have lost loved ones, but I want a more sensitive approach,’ Forbes said in an interview with eNCA. ‘Have they become so hardened that the cause justifies the means? For me, that is the disappointment I have of this whole process,’ he added.
Upcoming Trial
There are seven accused in the murder trial for Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane, which is set to be heard at the Durban High Court. A pre-trial conference has been planned for next month, with the trial proper scheduled to begin in mid-June.
Among the accused are the Ndimande brothers, Siyabonga and Malusi, who were previously extradited from eSwatini to stand trial in this matter. They initially abandoned their respective bail applications but earlier this month informed the Durban Magistrate’s Court that they intended to apply for bail.
- The bail hearing for the Ndimande brothers has been scheduled for April 10.
- The trial is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the murder of AKA and Motsoane.
- The Madlanga Commission’s handling of the case has sparked concerns over sensitivity and the potential impact on the families of the victims.
