By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Police Services (SAPS) national commissioner Fannie Masemola says police would soon make a breakthrough on the murder of slain musician Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes.
Speaking at the launch of Operation Shanela in the North West on Friday, Masemola said the suspects behind the murder of AKA could soon be arrested.
“Operation Shanela comprises regular stop and searches, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, cordon and searches, high visibility patrols including foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects with a focus on the apprehension of murder and rape suspects, compliance inspections at liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers.”
Masemola said that since the operation’s inception, 21 200 suspects were arrested for crimes including murder, rape and malicious damage to property.
It’s been almost five months since AKA and his friend Tebello Motsoane were shot and killed outside Wish restaurant on Durban’s popular Florida Road.
The restaurant has since closed its doors.
The two celebrities’ passing has been a subject of much speculation, conjecture, and conspiracies on social media.
Allegations were also made on social media accusing the father of Forbes’ late fiancé Anele Tembe of being behind the killing of the hip-hop star.
But Moses Tembe refuted the claims as cruel and libellous.
A month ago, various media outlets reported that a firearm was sent for ballistic testing and came positive as the weapon used to gun down the two celebrities.
But KwaZulu-Natal police refuted the claims, saying they are making good progress in the investigation and will make the information public when the time is right.
Weeks after the celebrities passing, KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said they have already interviewed several people in Gauteng and KZN.
Masemola told the media that there would soon be a breakthrough on the matter.
“We know who we are looking for, it is a matter of just rounding all of them.
“We know exactly who we are looking for, that I can assure you, we know where we are going,” he said.
CCTV footage showed Forbes hugging Motsoane outside the restaurant when two gunmen moments later walked from the side of a vehicle parked and shot at the rapper and his friend.