AKA murder: Cops slam ‘armchair investigators’ over arrest claims

The police (Saps) are adamant that there is no update surrounding the murder of South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, also known as AKA, almost rubbishing reports that five people have been taken in for questioning.

On Monday, a Netwerk24 report claimed that three men were initially arrested at the Erica Square shopping centre in Belhar on Sunday, while two more men were then apprehended in another part of Belhar.

Evasive

However, police have been extremely evasive and refused to confirm the arrests of the suspects.

The Citizen has been pushed from pillar to post after contacting the police ministry and national police department for confirmation of the arrest of the alleged suspects.

Both law enforcement authorities directed The Citizen to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police to seek further information on the matter.

KZN spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda neither confirmed nor denied that five suspects were taken in for questioning for the award-winning rapper’s murder.

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Misleading

Netshiunda said unconfirmed reports about the arrest of “an ever-changing number of suspects have been doing the rounds and are misleading the public.”

“Although police understand that the matter attracted media attention and that the public awaits with bated breath for any developments, police are calling upon the media and everyone else to refrain from making reports that have the potential of jeopardising ongoing investigations

“Such reports also have a potential of putting at risk the lives of the people purported to have been arrested as well as endangering the lives of individuals who are portrayed as police officers in photographs and videos which have been doing the rounds on certain websites and social media platforms,” Netshiunda said.

Armchair investigators

Netshiunda said police are appealing for space and time to investigate AKA’s murder.

“Without undue pressure and unwarranted scrutiny from armchair investigators, analysts and faceless so-called sources who are claiming to be closer to the investigations. Police are duty-bound to keep the victims’ families abreast about any developments in the investigations.

“These irresponsible reports rub salt into the fresh wounds of the family members who have put their faith on law enforcement to bring perpetrators to book and for justice to prevail. Investigations into the murders are ongoing and police will keep the public updated as and when there is any breakthrough or development worth communicating about,” Netshiunda added.

AKA and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane were shot dead in an apparent hit while standing outside the Wish Restaurant in February.

ALSO READ: AKA murder: Police refuse to confirm arrests of suspects