Two of the five men accused of killing South African rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and Chef Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane are set to appear in the Durban High Court for the murder of a taxi owner and kidnapping.
Siyanda Eddie Myeza and Lindani Zenzele Ndimande are charged with the murder of Siyabonga Ngcobo, who was killed on March 6, 2023.
Ngcobo was in the taxi industry with the Lamontville Taxi Association. The duo is accused together with Siphamandla Ngcobo and Mduduzi Comfort Ngubeni.
They are also charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of a prohibited firearm.
The State alleges that on January 7, 2023, the accused assaulted Sizwe Goodman Ndlovu and took his Mercedes Benz in North Beach.
“Ndlovu was approached by the accused and other assailants armed. They forced themselves into his vehicle and one of them drove it with Ndlovu inside,” explained the State.
Moreover, the State alleges that the accused drove with Ndlovu and dropped him off on the N2 highway near Queen Nandi Drive in eThekwini. The vehicle was used as a gateway car to kill Ngcobo in March.
Earlier in March, the accused and their associates are alleged to have conspired to kill Ngcobo. During this time, taxi feuds over routes and revenge attacks related to taxi violence were prevalent.
The accused are said to have belonged to rival taxi associations to Ngcobo. On the day Ngcobo was shot dead, the accused believed that he was an occupant in a vehicle that was driven by Zamokuhle Mkhwanazi-Ngcobo, the wife of Ngcobo.
“At around 13:00, Mrs Ngcobo (Zamokuhle), together with Ngcobo, was stationary at a red robot at the intersection of Berea and Mansfield Road when they were approached by the accused and other assailants driving several vehicles, including Ndlovu’s Mercedes Benz,” the State said.
The accused allegedly fired several shots directed at Zamokuhle and Ngcobo. However, Zamokuhle managed to drive away from the scene while being followed by the accused, who continued shooting at her vehicle, a Grey Land Rover.
She reached safety at Engen Garage in Umbilo, where she stopped to get assistance. “By that time, Ngcobo had already sustained gunshot injuries; he died at the garage inside the Land Rover,” added the State.
Moreover, while fleeing the crime scene, the accused drove through a red robot and knocked a pedestrian who was crossing the road. They did not stop and later abandoned the Mercedes.
The State said it was unknown who the other parties were, and where or how the common purpose was formed. All accused will make their first appearance at the High Court on May 8.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za