Latest news with #Gcaba
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
State prioritises witness protection in AKA and Tibz murder case
Nomonde Zondi | Published 1 hour ago The State continues to protect its witnesses by keeping its cards close to its chest, refusing to give the defence names of the unknown additional witnesses and their statements in the murder cases of South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane. The friends were shot dead in Florida Road, Durban, outside Wish Restaurant in February 2023. Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande are accused of the murders; additionally, they are facing 10 other charges, including attempted murder. During the pre-trial conference at the Durban High Court on Wednesday morning, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Lawrence Gcaba told the court that the State made it clear from the onset that they were not going to give the defence the names of the additional State witnesses and their statements in terms of section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Section 144 allows the state to withhold the names of certain witnesses it intends to call during the trial. Previously, senior prosecutor Advocate Elvis Gcweka, who is working with Gcaba on the matter, told the court that the State would lead the trial with 45 witnesses and additional witnesses. The names of the additional witnesses have been withheld for their protection. 'I was approached and informed that an application to compel the State to give the d efence the witness statements would be made. That hasn't happened,' Gcaba told the court. He said he had told the defence to make the application. Defence lawyer Advocate Jimmy Howse SC said he had mentioned the issue of the witness statements to Gcaba. The former acting director of public prosecutions, now defence counsel advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa, said they were contemplating compelling the State to give them the witness statements. As the defence counsels wanted to engage more on this, Judge Jacqueline Henriques interjected and said these discussions should not be taking place in the presence of the media. 'I am uncomfortable with that being laid out in the public domain,' she said. She ordered both the State and defence to have a discussion about this, off record, while she stood the matter down and the gallery was cleared. The matter then returned to court, and Gcaba requested that the court make an order for the matter to be adjourned to June 19, 2026 and during this time, both parties would sort out their issues. It was also agreed between the parties that witness statements would be given to the defence six weeks before the trial starts. Judge Henriques said the presiding officer (Judge) who would be allocated to the matter would certify it is trial-ready. [email protected]
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
State prioritises witness protection in AKA and Tibz murder case
South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes was killed in February 2023 in Durban. Image: X The State continues to protect its witnesses by keeping its cards close to its chest, refusing to give the defence names of the unknown additional witnesses and their statements in the murder cases of South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane. The friends were shot dead in Florida Road, Durban, outside Wish Restaurant in February 2023. Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande are accused of the murders; additionally, they are facing 10 other charges, including attempted murder. During the pre-trial conference at the Durban High Court on Wednesday morning, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Lawrence Gcaba told the court that the State made it clear from the onset that they were not going to give the defence the names of the additional State witnesses and their statements in terms of section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Section 144 allows the state to withhold the names of certain witnesses it intends to call during the trial. Previously, senior prosecutor Advocate Elvis Gcweka, who is working with Gcaba on the matter, told the court that the State would lead the trial with 45 witnesses and additional witnesses. The names of the additional witnesses have been withheld for their protection. 'I was approached and informed that an application to compel the State to give the defence the witness statements would be made. That hasn't happened,' Gcaba told the court. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane and his friend AKA were shot dead in Florida Road, Durban, outside Wish Restaurant in February 2023. Image: Instagram He said he had told the defence to make the application. Defence lawyer Advocate Jimmy Howse SC said he had mentioned the issue of the witness statements to Gcaba. The former acting director of public prosecutions, now defence counsel advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa, said they were contemplating compelling the State to give them the witness statements. As the defence counsels wanted to engage more on this, Judge Jacqueline Henriques interjected and said these discussions should not be taking place in the presence of the media. 'I am uncomfortable with that being laid out in the public domain,' she said. She ordered both the State and defence to have a discussion about this, off record, while she stood the matter down and the gallery was cleared. The matter then returned to court, and Gcaba requested that the court make an order for the matter to be adjourned to June 19, 2026 and during this time, both parties would sort out their issues. The accused from left Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande at the Durban High Court. Image: Nomonde Zondi
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Reconstruction of Coedmore Bridge still on track
THE construction of the Coedmore Bridge project remains on track to be completed by mid-June, with some of the key components nearing completion. Also read: Coedmore Bridge: New completion date confirmed Nolwandle Gcaba, Ward 64 community liaison officer, said that much progress was made. 'The V-drains on Coedmore Avenue side are progressing, subsoil drains installed on both sides of the bridge, stormwater pipes and manholes installed on Yellowwood Park side, preparation of layer works continued, hinge columns to support abatements in progress and height restriction poles reinstatement has been confirmed,' said Gcaba. She added at this stage, completion is still expected around mid-June. The Coedmore Bridge suffered severe damage in the 2022 floods and motorists have had to use diversion routes that take as long as 45 minutes to navigate. The eThekwini Municipality allocated R48m for the rehabilitation of the two-lane 90m bridge with pedestrian walkways. The funding was made possible by the National Treasury's Municipal Disaster Response Grant. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- The Citizen
Delays in AKA-Tibz murder case as extradition process unfolds in eSwatini
The case has been postponed to June. Five suspects during the AKA-Tibz murder case at Durban Magistrate's Court on 29 February 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Darren Stewart The murder case involving five men accused of killing rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane has been postponed to next month. Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimane, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Mkhwanazi appeared at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) High Court in Durban on Thursday for a pre-trial conference. The case was transferred from the Durban Magistrate's Court in February, following the defence's receipt of the indictment. Two more suspects, Siyabonga Ndimande and Malusi Ndimande, are in custody in eSwatini, awaiting extradition to South Africa. AKA-Tibz murder case postponed During proceedings, state prosecutor Advocate Lawrence Gcaba informed Judge Jacqueline Henriques that the five accused have appointed new legal counsel. The men will now be represented by Advocate Simphiwe Cyril Mlotshwa. Gcaba also confirmed the appointment of Sibusiso Dlamini as the instructing attorney. 'My understanding is that Advocate Mlotshwa will be instructed for all five,' the prosecutor said. He explained that the attorneys were not present in court because they were attending the extradition appeal in eSwatini, where the Ndimande brothers are challenging a ruling that approved their return to South Africa. 'They are not here today because they are also attending to the extradition appeal in the Swaziland Supreme Court.' ALSO READ: AKA-Tibz murder: Accused argues detention is a punishment and details family's financial strain The extradition ruling was issued by the Manzini Magistrate's Court in August 2024. The prosecution previously stated that if the Ndimande brothers are not extradited in time, the trial will proceed without them. Gcaba requested that the pre-trial conference be postponed to 12 June, a date that the defence and Gcaba mutually agreed upon. 'The state has already disclosed the contents of the dockets,' he added. The judge granted the postponement, and the accused will remain in custody. Accused's charges The five men are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, unlawful possession of firearms, and possession of unlicensed ammunition, all in connection with the deaths of Forbes and Motsoane. In addition, Mkhwanazi, Ndimande, Myeza, and Gwabeni face charges of money laundering. READ MORE: CCTV, cellphone records link accused to AKA murder, state argues in bail case They are also charged with the attempted murder of Tshediso 'Don Design' Mokoko, Thotloetso Kutlwano Mogotsi, Lusaso Buthanani Ngcobo, Siyabonga Makhosative Mdluli, and Kerwyn Clive Patrick Jackson. All the accused were denied bail in May 2024. Earlier this year, in January, Gwabeni and Ndimande were denied bail for a second time. Background Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down outside the now-closed restaurant Wish, located on Durban's Florida Road, on 10 February 2023. According to the state, CCTV footage and other evidence allegedly show the suspects tracking Forbes at King Shaka International Airport on the day of the murder. The suspects were allegedly paid R800 000 for their involvement. NOW READ: AKA-Tibz murder case: Accused claim R800K funds were wedding gifts and payments
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Construction of Coedmore Bridge makes steady progress
AS the construction of Coedmore Bridge edges closer to the mid-June completion date, steady progress is being made on the project. Also read: Coedmore Bridge: New completion date confirmed Nolwandle Gcaba, community liaison officer for Ward 64, said that concrete barriers are being installed across the bridge. 'Earthworks are also in motion preparing for road works, site clearing in compliance with environmental requirements, and reinstatement of site has begun, V-Drains on Coedmore Avenue side have been poured and abatement B backfilling almost complete,' said Gcaba. The steady progress being made comes as a relief for residents following the completion date being pushed back. 'The official completion date was set for May 8, however, like on any construction project there are variations and delays such as rain delays. They are currently working on the schedule for an updated completion date which at this stage will be around mid-June,' said Gcaba. The Coedmore bridge suffered severe damage in the 2022 floods and motorists have had to use diversion routes that take as long as 45 minutes to navigate. The eThekwini Municipality allocated R48m for the rehabilitation of the two-lane 90m bridge with pedestrian walkways. The funding was made possible by the National Treasury's Municipal Disaster Response Grant. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
