AKA Murder Trial Adjourned After Sweltering Heat Halts Durban High Court Proceedings

• The murder trial of seven men accused of killing rapper AKA and his friend Tibz was adjourned due to unbearable heat at the Durban High Court on Thursday
• Both the state prosecutor and defence attorneys told Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi they could not work under such conditions
• Court personnel, members of the public, and even the accused were visibly struggling as the trial was pushed to Monday

The murder trial of seven men accused of killing rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and his close friend Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane hit an unexpected wall on Thursday when scorching temperatures and broken air-conditioning brought proceedings at the Durban High Court to a standstill.

With no functioning cooling system in the courtroom, both state prosecutor Tsaba and defence attorneys informed Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi that conditions had become too extreme to continue. It was not just the legal teams struggling — court staff and members of the public gallery were seen reaching for bottles of iced water and mopping sweat from their faces throughout the session.

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The seven accused men sitting in the dock were equally affected, their shirts visibly damp as they wiped their faces with towels. The situation made it nearly impossible for anyone in the room to focus on what is one of the most closely watched criminal trials in South Africa.

Prosecutor pleads for a break

Prosecutor Tsaba initially requested a short adjournment to locate a courtroom with working air-conditioning. The appeal was met with reluctance from Judge Sipunzi, who appeared eager to push forward with proceedings. Despite her reservations, the conditions ultimately proved too much, and the trial was postponed to Monday.

The 7 men in the dock

The seven accused facing charges related to the murders of AKA and Tibz are Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Mkhwanazi, Malusi Dave Ndimande, and Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande.

AKA, one of South Africa's most celebrated hip-hop artists, was shot and killed alongside Tibz Motsoane in Durban in February 2023. The trial has drawn significant public attention, and Thursday's adjournment over something as basic as heat is sure to frustrate those following the case closely.

Eyewitnesses tell court bodyguard was inside during shooting

In a previous report from Briefly News, Eyewitnesses told the Durban High Court AKA's bodyguard fled inside Wish restaurant as shots rang out, leaving the rapper outside as trial testimony continues.

Source: Briefly News