Court hears emotional testimony about AKA, Motsoane’s final moments

The trial of slain rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend and businessman, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane at the Durban High Court heard emotional testimony about the final moments of the pair.

The court’s 11th witness, photographer and camera operator Thotloesto Kutlwano Mogotsi who was part of the crew that came with AKA to Durban, described the panic and distress following the shooting.

Mogotsi recounted the moment that changed his life forever. He told the court that after hearing several gunshots, they called for help.

He testified that paramedics, upon arriving at the scene, attempted multiple times to resuscitate Motsoane after noticing that Forbes was unresponsive. The paramedics declared both Forbes and Motsoane dead at the scene.

Mogotsi also made a new revelation about the moments leading up to the shooting, telling the court that Forbes embraced Motsoane outside the restaurant for longer than usual, seemingly after spotting someone from his past whom he did not want to see.

“I saw Kiernan and Tibz embracing each other, but it was about something. I think AKA had noticed someone from his past and he did not want that person to notice him. So, as Tebello and AKA were hugging each other, they made a circling motion so that Tebello could get a better look at what was seen by Kiernan.”

The whereabouts of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ bodyguard at the time of the shooting also came under renewed scrutiny in court.

Siyabonga Mdluli, Forbes’s road manager who was present when Forbes and Motsoana were shot, also gave his testimony. Asked about the bodyguard’s whereabouts, Mdluli said he could not see him and had last seen him before the shooting began.

“When I realised he’s been shot, that’s when I looked around to find out where AKA was because at that moment I thought he had run inside with us. Unfortunately, when I looked around, he was not there. That’s when I went outside and saw him lying on the ground dead.”

Mdluli told the court he did not see the bodyguard anywhere.

“I have no idea where he was. I did not see him anywhere,” he said.

Two eyewitnesses also testified. They informed the court that they saw two men wearing masks and hats fleeing the scene, with one allegedly carrying a firearm.

The witnesses told the court that they were seated in Florida Park, opposite Wish restaurant, before gunshots were fired.

“So, I was the last of the ones that ran. I was the last that fled. And so, when I turned around as I was running, one of the guys that was behind me was holding a gun. From what I can remember, sir, I think there was one that was in their differences. One was a little bit bigger in size than the other. That’s due to my memory. That’s what I remember, sir,” said one of the eyewitnesses.

The trial continues Thursday with the state introducing its 14th witness.