Siphamandla Ngcobo, one of four suspects arrested in connection with the murder of South African rapper AKA, has abandoned his bail request due to a delay in an identity parade. Ngcobo was linked to the getaway car used in the assassination on Durban’s Florida Road on February 10. His lawyer, Annelene van den Heever, continues to maintain that he had no involvement in AKA’s murder.
Ngcobo and three other suspects were arrested at a Cape Town shopping center in March, following the release of CCTV footage showing the car fleeing the scene after AKA was shot. News24 reported that Ngcobo allegedly stole the Mercedes-Benz from a man named Mr. Ndlovu and used it as the getaway car in AKA’s murder.
Ngcobo appeared for the third time in Durban Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with robbery. An identity parade was scheduled for eyewitnesses to confirm whether or not he committed the robbery. However, the parade did not go as planned, as there were not enough people to participate, prompting Ngcobo to forfeit his bail for the time being.
Many people seeking justice for the slain rapper have expressed concern that the police may have arrested the wrong individuals. These concerns were heightened when the other three suspects were later released. Van den Heever has insisted that Ngcobo is not connected to AKA’s murder, even though the car he allegedly stole was linked to the assassination.
The identity parade has been rescheduled for May 4, when Ngcobo will appear in court again. It remains to be seen whether he will also walk away freely following the parade.
AKA’s father, Tony Forbes, has addressed the public’s concerns about his family’s safety after the rapper’s murder. Fans of AKA have been worried that the killers might target the rapper’s family, and Forbes has acknowledged these concerns as the investigation continues.
