The State and the defence are expected to present closing arguments in the bail application of the five men charged with the murder of rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 2 May.
The State is expected to continue arguing against the bail application of Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Ndimande who were charged for the murder of AKA and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
The five men also face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, five counts of attempted murder and money laundering.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN BAIL APPLICATION OF AKA MURDER SUSPECTS
The matter was postponed earlier in April for closing arguments.
In the last court appearance, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, the alleged coordinator in the murder of AKA, questioned why notorious taxi boss Mfundo Gcaba is not in the dock with them. Gcaba allegedly deposited R800 000 to Gwabeni’s account a day after Forbes was murdered. He later shared the money with the other co-accused.
LINDOKUHLE NDIMANDE INSISTS HE WAS ON A DATE
Earlier in April, AKA murder accused Lindokuhle Ndimande denied being a spotter at the Wish Restaurant. Instead, he says he was on a date, but the woman stood him up.
In his replying affidavit, advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa, who represents Ndimande, said that the accused was at the restaurant to meet a woman.
“After realising that the clock was ticking while at the restaurant while at Wish Restaurant, I kept calling the lady, and she kept promising that she would come.
“I dispute any notion that I was a spotter as I wasn’t even aware that the first deceased (AKA) was around. It was shortly after gunshots had ceased that I heard there was a shooting outside and that one of the victims was AKA,” Mlotshwa told the court.
As previously reported by The South African, when the five suspects were arrested in February, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi revealed that the seven suspects had different roles.
These included two spotters, two shooters, organiser of guns and getaway vehicles and a coordinator among others
According to the State, Ndimande was dropped off at Wish Restaurant at 21:17. CCTV footage captured him entering the restaurant.
Accused 5 in the AKA murder case went on to have a meal and even switched his seats so he could get a better view of AKA and his entourage.
Eyewitness News also reported that Ndimande was allegedly seen continuously talking on his cellphone and even paid for his meal using a Standard Bank card linked to an account he opened the same day Forbes was killed.
Also, the State alleged that the accused was captured continuously talking on his phone while at the restaurant. Following the shooting, Ndimande was not shaken like others in the restaurant were.
The State is opposing bail.
