Tony Forbes has opened up about the emotional toll of his son Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ murder trial, saying he hopes the proceedings will uncover the truth and provide the family with some measure of closure.
Speaking outside the High Court in Durban as the long-awaited trial began, AKA’s father admitted that hearing the charges read in court was one of the first moments when the full emotional weight of the proceedings truly hit him.
Forbes said the words used by prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba, particularly the reference to the alleged “desire to kill” his son, made the reality of the case particularly difficult.
Tony Forbes seeks justice and answers
Forbes acknowledged that the trial will become increasingly challenging as the court hears evidence and is exposed to material connected to the February 2023 killings of AKA and his close friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
“It’s not easy,” Forbes said. “Right now it’s still manageable emotionally. But it’s an important milestone to have started.”
When asked what he hoped would come from the proceedings, his response was direct: justice and the truth.
“Justice. Justice. As much as we can. We want justice. We want to know the truth,” he said.
Seven men are on trial and have pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder and firearms-related offences.
The accused remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
‘The loss and the pain will always be with us’
Forbes understands that even a successful prosecution cannot undo the loss suffered by the families.
He said what the family ultimately wants is a clearer understanding of what happened and a chance to find some form of closure.
“It will never take away the loss. The loss and the pain will always be with us,” Forbes said.
“But at least we could understand what happened. We have to get some measure of closure to move on. All of us as family.”
More than three years after AKA was killed at the age of 35, his father continues to navigate the grief that followed the loss.
Music, he explained, has become one of the ways he remains connected to his son.
“I still feel the loss, coming to terms with it. I use music. I use voice very often,” Forbes said, describing how listening to music can briefly make him feel immersed in another moment before the reality of his son’s absence returns.
Dealing with anger while keeping AKA’s memory alive
Forbes also spoke candidly about the anger that can accompany grief, particularly when he considers the life his son should have been able to live.
He admitted that he fears becoming bitter but said he tries not to allow those emotions to dictate his life.
“I have a fear… of being bitter. Sometimes I get angrier towards the fact that his life is cut short,” he said.
Despite the pain, Forbes remains determined to carry on.
“I don’t usually let that dictate how I live my life. It’s bad enough that we have lost a hero. So we carry on.”
The trial began on 5 October 2026, more than three and a half years after AKA and Tibz were shot in Durban.
AKA’s family, including Tony Forbes, and Tibz’s father, Sylvester Motsoane, have continued to attend proceedings as the case unfolds.
For Forbes, the trial represents more than a courtroom process. It is an opportunity to understand what happened to his son, seek justice and, eventually, find enough answers to help the family move forward while keeping AKA’s legacy alive.
