Law enforcement officials confirmed on Wednesday that the seventh suspect has been arrested in connection with renowned rapper AKA and his friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane murder, outside the Wish Restaurant in Durban in February 2023.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda officially confirmed the arrest of the 30-year-old suspect on Wednesday, adding to the six individuals already in custody. Five of the suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, while the remaining two are currently held in neighbouring eSwatini, awaiting the extradition process.
Praise for Professional Investigation
Crime experts have praised the police for their professional handling of the investigation. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi revealed on Tuesday night that the “mastermind,” two gunmen, two spotters, and the organizer of firearms and vehicles were all successfully apprehended.
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Seventh suspect arrested in AKa murder-Image Source@XMkhwanazi commended the collaboration with Interpol and eSwatini law enforcement agencies, highlighting that the suspects arrested in eSwatini would be extradited to South Africa. While Mkhwanazi hinted at a potential motive for the murders, he refrained from providing details.
Intense Pursuit and Arrest in Eswatini
The investigation unveiled that AKA had been under surveillance from his arrival at Durban airport to the fatal incident at the restaurant. Mkhwanazi described the process of arresting suspects in Eswatini as intense and challenging.
Police Minister Bheki Cele disclosed that the oldest suspect is 36 years old. He commended the SAPS for maintaining discretion during the investigation. The first arrest was made in April 2023. The subsequent ones followed, culminating in the recent apprehension of the seventh suspect.
Expert Perspectives on the Investigation
Chad Thomas, an organized crime investigator from IRS Forensic Investigations, described this as a significant victory against crime syndicates. Thomas emphasized the intelligence-driven and prosecution-guided nature of the investigation, applauding law enforcement for linking suspects to other unsolved cases.
Gareth Newham, head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at the Institute for Security Studies, hailed the arrest of the seven suspects as positive news. He acknowledged the challenges of disclosing information during ongoing investigations.
