AKA Murder Trial: Eyewitnesses Say Bodyguard Fled and Left Rapper Behind

• Eyewitnesses testified at the Durban High Court that AKA's bodyguard abandoned the rapper when shots rang out outside Wish restaurant
• Club promoter Simphiwe Ngidi revealed that the bodyguard was safely inside with the group while Kiernan Forbes lay outside
• AKA's manager disclosed that the rapper's regular bodyguard Anwar Khan was unavailable on the night of the shooting

Shocking testimony has emerged from the ongoing murder trial of rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes, with eyewitnesses telling the Durban High Court that the bodyguard hired to protect him fled inside a restaurant when gunfire broke out, leaving the rapper exposed outside.

Forbes was shot and killed on 10 February 2023 alongside his friend Tibello 'Tibz' Motsoane outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban. Seven men are standing trial for the murders, all of whom have pleaded not guilty.

What witnesses saw that night

Club promoter Simphiwe Ngidi, who was part of the group accompanying Forbes and Motsoane during their final moments, took the stand and described the chaos that followed the gunshots. Ngidi said that like everyone else, he bolted inside the restaurant for safety. It was only once people began checking on one another that the absence of Forbes became apparent.

Read also

Sizwe Dhlomo criticises Gayton McKenzie after Rwanda secures F1 deal

"When we were checking ourselves if we were injured, the bodyguard was there with us - that's why, when the question was raised ', where's Kiernan', I was shocked. We all looked at him like, 'where's Kiernan'," Ngidi testified.

DJ Tshediso Mokoko, another eyewitness present that evening, was also questioned about the bodyguard's whereabouts. State prosecutor Elvis Gcweka asked directly whether Mokoko had seen the bodyguard after the shooting.

"No. I did not see the bodyguard," Mokoko answered.

AKA's bodyguard was not there

Adding another layer to the testimony, Forbes' manager Tshiamo Letshwene confirmed that AKA's usual bodyguard, Anwar Khan, had not been available that night and a replacement had to be arranged.

The revelations have drawn sharp reactions from social media users, with many questioning the professionalism and responsibility of the bodyguard on duty.

@donia_don said:

"The shooter shot Aka at point-blank range coming from behind. No stranger was supposed to come so close when you have a bodyguard."

Read also

AKA murder trial: Don Design takes the stand to recount rapper's final moments

@ChrisKyle980408 wrote:

"If you're not willing to kill and/or die for your client, get out of the bodyguard business; go put my fries in the bag, you knew the job was dangerous when you took it smh."

@khethiwesj called it an "Ultimate betrayal," adding:

"And he was actually paid to protect him?"

@ben340104572023 offered a more measured take:

"There were multiple shooters, bodies dropping, bullets flying! Any one of us would have forgotten their job and run. Now, should he continue being a bodyguard, hell no, but let's not blame him for running."

@KGMokgalaka drew a contrast with another incident:

"There's a bodyguard who once dived in front of his subject when shots were fired in Polokwane in 2020. There are levels to this thing."

Source: Briefly News