The murder trial of the seven men accused of killing South African rap star AKA was adjourned early Tuesday after reports that someone slipped a cellphone to one of the defendants inside the courtroom.
Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi ordered the public out of the Durban courtroom, met with the prosecutor in her chambers, then ended the second day of proceedings over what she described as a security issue. East Coast Radio reported the concern involved an alleged cellphone handoff, though the station said it had not received formal confirmation.
The seven men are standing trial over the February 2023 shooting deaths of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane outside the Wish restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road. Police say a spotter followed AKA from the airport and watched him inside the restaurant before the gunmen moved in. All seven pleaded not guilty Monday, and prosecutors plan to call 45 witnesses.
The same judge also ruled Tuesday that defendant Siyanda Myeza will face six extra charges tied to a 2022 case in a separate trial. The accused return to court Wednesday.
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