Also see: AKA and Tibz murder trial gets underway in Durban court
South African Police Service (SAPS) technical detective Rajan Sander made the identification during proceedings at the Durban High Court on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
The development adds to the evidence presented by the State as the trial continues into the February 2023 murders of AKA and his friend, businessman and chef Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
CCTV footage shows man following AKA at airport
The identification follows testimony earlier this week by airport surveillance analyst Sandile Khuzwayo, who presented CCTV footage showing a man following AKA and his entourage through the airport terminal towards the car rental area.
AKA had arrived at King Shaka International Airport from Johannesburg on 10 February 2023, the day he and Tibz were killed.
The State previously indicated that another witness would identify the individual captured in the footage. During earlier bail proceedings, prosecutors alleged that the footage showed Mziwethemba following the rapper at the airport.
However, Mziwethemba’s defence has challenged the reliability of the identification and the CCTV evidence.
BREAKING NEWS🚨
MZIWETHEMBA GWABINI IDENTIFIED IN AIRPORT CCTV FOOTAGE IN THE AKA AND TIBZ MURDER TRIAL
Mziwethemba Gwabini, accused number four in the ongoing AKA and Tibz murder trial, has been identified in court as the man seen following rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes at King Shaka International Airport on the day he was killed.
SAPS technical detective Rajan Sander made the identification during proceedings at the Durban High Court today, Thursday.
The development follows testimony earlier this week by airport surveillance analyst Sandile Khuzwayo, who presented CCTV footage showing a man following Forbes and his entourage through the airport terminal towards the car rental area after the rapper arrived from Johannesburg on 10 February 2023.
The State had previously indicated that another witness would identify the individual captured in the footage. During earlier bail proceedings, prosecutors alleged that the footage placed Gwabini at the airport as he followed Forbes. However, Gwabini’s defence has challenged the reliability of the identification and the CCTV evidence.
The State has also presented cellphone records, parking payment records and vehicle-tracking evidence as part of its case.
This includes evidence relating to a grey BMW allegedly linked to Gwabini, which was reportedly seen following Forbes’s vehicle from the airport towards the Hilton Hotel in Umhlanga and later towards Florida Road. A grey Volkswagen Polo, whose registration plates reportedly match those of a vehicle leased to Gwabini, was also allegedly observed near the hotel.
Gwabini has previously been described by the State as a Durban businessman with interests in the private security and taxi industries.
He is one of seven men standing trial for the murders of Forbes and his friend, businessman and chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
The pair were shot dead outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on the night of 10 February 2023.
All seven accused have pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and firearm-related offences.
The trial continues.
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) October 22, 2026
Also see: AKA and Tibz murder suspects seek safe haven
State presents cellphone and vehicle-tracking evidence
The State has also presented cellphone records, parking payment records and vehicle-tracking evidence as part of its case against the accused.
Among the evidence is information relating to a grey BMW allegedly linked to Mziwethemba. The vehicle was reportedly seen following AKA’s vehicle from the airport towards the Hilton Hotel in Umhlanga and later towards Florida Road in Durban.
A grey Volkswagen Polo, whose registration plates reportedly match those of a vehicle leased to Mziwethemba, was also allegedly observed near the hotel.
The prosecution has presented this evidence as part of its broader case. The allegations and evidence remain subject to examination during the trial.
Mziwethemba has previously been described by the State as a Durban businessman with interests in the private security and taxi industries.
7 Men stand trial for AKA and Tibz murders
Mziwethemba is one of seven men standing trial for the murders of AKA and Tibz.
The pair were shot dead outside Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on the night of 10 February 2023. Their deaths sent shockwaves through South Africa, particularly among fans of AKA, one of the country’s most prominent hip-hop artists.
All seven accused have pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and firearm-related offences.
The trial continues at the Durban High Court as the State presents evidence in support of its case.
Featured image: Instagram/@akaworldwide
Also see: AKA and Tibz murder case’s trial date announced
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
