DNA, fingerprints and ballistic evidence collected from car in AKA murder trial

From left: Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Mkhwanazi, Malusi Dave Ndimande, and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande are on trial for the murders of AKA and Tibz.

A crime scene investigator has told the Durban High Court that she collected DNA and other forensic evidence from a white Mercedes-Benz allegedly used as a getaway vehicle after rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were gunned down on February 10, 2023.

Sergeant Silindile Dlamini, a crime scene investigator, testified that she was called to a crime scene in Cato Crest on March 6, 2023, nearly a month after the murders, following the recovery of the white Mercedes-Benz.

Dlamini said she received a call from radio control about the scene and went to the location, where she met Warrant Officer Kumarasan “Bob” Pillay, the investigating officer in the AKA and Tibz murder case.

Pillay showed her the scene, where she collected exhibits and took photographs.

“He showed me the crime scene, I then collected some exhibits and took photos. There were ballistic exhibits and some biological exhibits, the DNA, match sticks and a piece of cloth,” she said.

Dlamini said she also found cartridge cases and a cartridge, explaining that a cartridge case is the part left behind after a firearm has been discharged, while a cartridge is live ammunition.

Among the other items collected was a house plan. She also collected fingerprints found inside the Mercedes-Benz. After collecting the exhibits, Dlamini said she sealed them in exhibit bags before taking them to Berea Police Station.

Picture taken of a video footage that was played in court of AKA arriving at Wish on Florida on February 10, 2023.

On March 8, she dispatched the exhibits to various forensic laboratories.

“Others went for ballistics, fingerprints lab and biology,” she told the court.

Previous testimony by Constable Rajen Saunders, who downloaded CCTV footage from various locations linked to AKA’s movements on the day of his murder, showed a white Mercedes-Benz on Florida Road, where the shooting took place. The shooting took place outside Wish on Florida, where AKA and Tibz had their last meal together. 

Last week, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Lawrence Gcaba asked Saunders whether he had attended the scene in Cato Crest on March 6.

Saunders confirmed that he had and was asked what he had observed.

He testified that there were similarities between the Mercedes-Benz seen on Florida Road in February and the vehicle recovered in Cato Crest.

“Similarities were there, both cars had tinted windows, left headlight was not working, and both cars had a panoramic sunroof. The rims were similar to the one on the video footage (Florida Road footage),” he said.

Previous witnesses also testified that they saw two men wearing bucket hats and buffer masks crossing Florida Road from the park towards Wish on Florida, where AKA and his crew had been dining.

After hearing gunshots, the witnesses said the men crossed the road again and passed through the park towards Gordon Road, where Saunders testified that the Mercedes-Benz had been parked.

The witnesses, whose identities are protected, testified that one of the men was carrying a firearm.

According to Saunders, the Mercedes-Benz was seen leaving shortly after the shooting.

During his testimony, CCTV footage from the day of the murders was played in court. Saunders pointed out the two alleged gunmen crossing the road before and after the shooting.

He also identified where the Mercedes-Benz had been parked and indicated when it drove away, with its headlights illuminated. Saunders further showed the court the route the vehicle took after leaving Gordon Road.

Senior State advocate Elvis Gcweka is currently leading a new witness.

Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande and brothers Malusi Dave and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande are standing trial for the murders of AKA and Tibz.