Tony Forbes Condemns Madlanga Commission Over Public Airing of AKA Footage
Tony Forbes, father of the late rapper AKA, has criticised the Madlanga Commission for airing video footage of his son’s final moments during recent proceedings.
In a strongly worded letter, Forbes called the decision “careless” and “insensitive,” saying it reopened deep emotional wounds for the family and the public.
Distressing Footage Resurfaces
The video, shown during testimony last week, depicted AKA’s last moments before his killing, alongside close friend Tebello Motsoane. Forbes acknowledged the commission’s mandate to investigate serious allegations within South Africa’s criminal justice system but questioned the necessity of publicly replaying such sensitive material.
“I cannot understand how the commissioners in all their wisdom have become so hardened that they would just carelessly display that footage,” Forbes wrote.
He suggested that a screenshot would have sufficed for the purpose of the proceedings.
Emotional Toll on the Family
Forbes emphasised the emotional toll on those closest to the victims, saying the repeated airing forced many to relive the tragedy.
“It was not necessary in the context of the line of questioning,” he added. “The question was about why this video was forwarded. Instead, now, we must live through all of this.”
The footage was introduced during testimony from Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, also known as Witness F, as part of discussions about how clips of the incident were circulated online. While the video had been widely available immediately after AKA’s 2023 shooting, its resurfacing during the hearings caused renewed distress for the family.
Context of the Commission
The Madlanga Commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa and chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is investigating allegations of corruption and interference within South African law enforcement and the judiciary. AKA’s killing is among the cases linked to the broader inquiry.
Born Kiernan Forbes, AKA was 35 when he was shot in Durban in what authorities have described as a targeted attack. As legal proceedings move forward and suspects face trial, Forbes’ criticism highlights the tension between public accountability and the private grief experienced by those closest to the tragedy.