Durban Man Denies AKA Murder Payment, Challenges State Over R803K Received

In a twist to the sensational AKA murder case in Durban, one of the accused, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, has denied allegations by the State that a considerable sum of money received by his company was intended as payment for the assassination of the popular rapper, AKA. This development unfolded during a session at the Durban Magistrate’s Court, shedding light on the intricate details of the case. Gwabeni, aged 36, admitted to receiving R803,455 but stood firm that the money was related to legitimate consulting services and not linked to the crime.

The money, which was deposited into Gwabeni's business account on the day of AKA's death, has been a focal point of the prosecution. However, Gwabeni declared a proof-based defensive stance. He urged the State to examine his banking records, which he believes will substantiate his claims of financial transactions for consulting purposes. His defense hinged on a business partnership with the paying company, stretching back three years, rather than being part of an orchestrated murder plot.

Gwabeni, a graduate from Durban University of Technology, presented his rebuttal through a bail affidavit statement. He also addressed the transfer of R133,000 to co-accused Lindokuhle Ndimande, insisting it was unrelated to the alleged murder-for-hire scheme and was part of normal business operations adjusting for irregular income flow. The State's framing of the situation as a coincidental transaction on the day of AKA's murder did not sway Gwabeni's stance.

The accused, alongside his associates — Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande — are up against an array of charges, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, five counts of attempted murder, and money laundering. The backdrop of this varied list of charges depicts a facade of ordinary business transactions masking a darker alleged intent.

The group, also linked to the attempted murder of individuals in proximity to AKA during his assassination on the bustling Florida Road, remains subjected to intense scrutiny under the public and judicial eye. AKA's shocking public murder, along with his friend Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane, has left many calling for justice and detailed examination of all those connected to the event.

With the adjournment set for March 27, all eyes are on the Durban Magistrate’s Court as the State prepares to present its evidence against Gwabeni and his co-accused in their bail application endeavors. As the case continues to unfold, the quest for truth in the complex web of allegations in the murder of AKA remains a matter of national concern and interest.