Police arrest hitmen paid to kill South African rapper AKA

The investigation into the killing of South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and renowned chef Tibz (Tebello Mostoane) continues to progress, with the recent arrest of a seventh suspect on Wednesday, February 28.

The suspect is connected to the fatal shooting of AKA and Tibz on the popular Florida Road in Morningside, Durban, on February 10, 2023. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has not disclosed the suspect’s identity, but they join six others, all below 36 years old, who have been arrested.

During a late-night press conference at SAPS headquarters in Durban, Police Minister Bheki Cele announced that the suspects would appear in court on Thursday, February 29, without specifying the court.

According to authorities, hitmen were paid to target AKA, but the motive remains undisclosed. The police revealed that AKA and Tibz were ambushed by armed individuals while walking to their vehicle in Durban.

CCTV footage captured the incident, showing AKA was the primary target, and Tibz was not the intended victim. Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, described the roles of the suspects involved in the operation, including coordinators, shooters, and spotters.

One suspect allegedly tracked AKA from the airport to his hotel and then to the Wish on Florida restaurant, assembling the group and providing resources. Some of the arrested individuals may be linked to other murder cases.

Authorities recovered four vehicles, a firearm, and ammunition related to both the AKA incident and another shooting. The firearm used in AKA’s shooting was found on April 22, 2023, and a BMW trailing AKA upon his arrival in KZN was recovered on August 2, 2023.

AKA, a renowned South African hip-hop artist, enjoyed a successful career with multiple albums and hit songs.

Media ethics´ Trailblazer, Ezekiel Mutua publicly bans popular ´Takataka´ song terming it of obscene content

KFCB CEO, Dr. Ezekiel Mutua now bans 4-month old viral, ´Takataka´ song of its derogatory remarks to the female gender.

Reasons

During a press conference held at the Board offices in Nairobi on Tuesday, Dr Ezekiel Mutua addresses:

The song ´Takataka´ is characterized by crude language that objectifies women and glorifies hurting them as normal reaction to rejection of overtures by men.

On his Twitter page, Dr Ezekiel Mutua reveals that the viral anthem ´Takataka´ was unfortunately not submitted to the KFCB for examination and classification.

It therefore contravenes Section 12 (2) of the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 2222.

Be Warned!

The firm media ethics´ disciplinarian adds that:

Broadcasting, exhibition, distribution [including online] or possession of the song ´Takataka´ by Alvin aka Alvindo is a criminal offense.

Additionally, he has forewarned that the viral song ought NOT be performed live or broadcast anywhere within the Kenyan boundaries.

No DJ should play the song either on broadcast station or in entertainment joints.

According to the learned KFCB boss, the lyrics in the song are primitive, abuse our sensibilities and should therefore not be a call for celebration by anyone whosoever.

Dr Ezekiel Mutua further adds:

This song and such other obscene content should be rejected by members of a self-respecting society.

The well conversant stickler in the field of media believes that such examples of music content might be the catalyzers to the recent crude spousal deaths.

In the song, the rapper strongly condemns his ´ex-lover´ to death indicating he would actually attend her funeral, just to please his emotions.

According to Dr E. Mutua, these artistes are out to make nothing but money.

The ethics and impact the content has to society is not a priority to artists of today:

Some of the artistes sing such music to sound controversial and gain following upon which they make money.

Background

´Takataka´ is a song by Alvin alias Alvindo, its producer being the FastCash Music Group.

The song has garnered well over 1 M plus on You Tube.

KFCB now calls upon Alvin, given a fortnight to appear before the board otherwise, legal action will be taken.

The viral song released early in the year, took the board 4 months due to scrupulous and legal processes as stipulated in the Law.

The artist however now risks getting barred from being a member of the 3 Content Management Organizations (CMOs) in Kenya.

The media ethics Chief whip further urges artistes and media institutions to promote music that builds moral responsibility and not contrary to that.