The search for justice for the late Kiernan “AKA” Forbes has taken a startling and controversial turn. In a recent explosive interview on Radio 702, EFF leader Julius Malema alleged that the suspects responsible for the rapper’s 2023 assassination are already behind bars—but are currently being held on unrelated charges to protect the integrity of the case.
A Secret Meeting and a “Stark Disclosure”
Malema claims that after he publicly criticized the slow pace of the investigation during a KZN rally, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi requested a private meeting to provide a briefing on the matter.
According to Malema, the Commissioner revealed a strategic “cat-and-mouse” game being played by law enforcement:
- The Allegation: The actual shooters are already in custody for separate crimes.
- The Strategy: Police are reportedly waiting to finalize the “tail end” of the forensic evidence before officially charging them with AKA’s murder.
- The “Tampering” Fear: Malema further alleged that the Commissioner expressed a deep mistrust of former Police Minister Bheki Cele, suggesting that going public too soon could lead to evidence being “messed up” by internal interference.
“He said the guys are arrested… but I would not reveal it because if I reveal it, Bheki Cele is going to tamper with this evidence and mess up this case.” — Julius Malema
A National Scar: The February 2023 Shooting
The murder of AKA and his close associate Tebogo “TBG” Ndlovu remains one of South Africa’s most painful unsolved high-profile crimes. The brazen shooting, caught on CCTV outside a Durban restaurant, shocked the nation and put immense pressure on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to deliver results.
While multiple arrests have been made in connection to broader organized crime investigations over the years, the lack of a formal “AKA Murder” charge in court has led to widespread public frustration.
Trust vs. Doubt
Malema, who has historically praised Commissioner Mkhwanazi’s work ethic, admitted that his patience is wearing thin.
“I love him so much, but I’m beginning to have doubts because he’s not making a move on AKA’s case.”
If Malema’s claims are true, it points to a massive rift within the top brass of South African law enforcement, where the fear of political interference is actively dictating how—and when—justice is served for the country’s biggest stars.
