Unraveling the Errors: How Mistakes Led to the Arrest of AKA's Alleged Killers

The tragic murder of South African rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Jarred Forbes, sent shockwaves through the music industry and beyond.

The February 2023 incident in Durban left fans grieving and sparked a complex investigation that culminated in the arrest of several suspects.

Unraveling the Errors: How Mistakes Led to the Arrest of AKA's Alleged Killers

This article explores the crucial mistakes made by AKA's alleged killers and their accomplices, which ultimately unraveled their attempts to evade capture.

Financial Blunders:

Traceable Transactions: A significant misstep was using traditional banking systems to transfer the alleged murder payment of R800,000 and pay the suspects. Law enforcement's ability to track these large transactions created a digital trail leading directly to the suspects.
Suspicious Banking Activity: Another red flag was the opening of a Standard Bank account on the day of the shooting to receive a portion of the payment (R133,000) for the two alleged hitmen. This unusual activity raised immediate suspicion.

Digital Footprints:

Cell Phone Communication: Communication between the suspects and their associates proved crucial in building the case. Cell phone records placed one suspect in the grey BMW that followed AKA from the airport, while others positioned other suspects at the crime scene.

Vehicles as Evidence:

Identifiable Cars: Using specific vehicles like the grey BMW, white Mercedes-Benz C200, and grey Polo during the crime directly implicated the suspects. These vehicles were tracked and linked to key locations, providing a strong link to the suspects.
Spotter Vehicle: The grey Polo, identified as a "spotter vehicle," was traced back to one of the suspects, further connecting him to the crime through cell phone records.
Getaway Vehicle: The white Mercedes-Benz C200, used as the getaway car, was also traced back to the suspects and contained crucial forensic evidence.

Surveillance Footage:

Captured on Camera: The suspects were captured on surveillance cameras at various locations, including the crime scene. This footage provided undeniable evidence of their presence and movements before and after the murder.

Failed Cover-Up Attempts:

Burning the Getaway Car: In a futile attempt to erase evidence, one suspect tried to set fire to the white Mercedes-Benz. However, the car remained largely intact, and valuable forensic evidence was recovered.

Combining the Pieces:

Witness Accounts and Forensics: Witness testimonies and forensic evidence, such as spent cartridges and postmortem reports, corroborated the events leading to the arrests.

These combined missteps, from financial transactions to leaving a digital and physical trail, ultimately led to the apprehension of the alleged perpetrators.

While the music world mourns the loss of AKA, the pursuit of justice highlights the consequences of criminal activity and the importance of meticulous investigation.