Police Minister Bheki Cele says for the police to include the Mfundo Gcaba in an affidavit means they have found something. 

This comes as the Durban Magistrate’s Court, where five of the seven suspects arrested in connection with the murder of rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, heard that one of the Gcaba brothers, Mfundo, allegedly deposited R800 000 into the account of one of the suspects a day after the rapper was killed. 

MFUNDO GCABA ALLEGEDLY THE PAYMASTER IN THE MURDER OF AKA

On 27 March, investigating officer Kumarasan Pillay’s affidavit revealed that Gwabeni called a number linked to Sydney Mfundo Gcaba and later received R803 455. 

The money was deposited by Bright Circle, of which Gcaba is the sole director. 

Mfundo Gcaba is former President Jacob Zuma’s nephew and one of the notorious Gcaba brothers. The Gcaba family from KwaZulu-Natal owns a fleet of taxis and buses.

“Shortly after this call, an amount of R803 455 was transferred to Gwabeni’s bank account,” State prosecutor advocate Elvis Gcweka said as he read Pillay’s affidavit into the record. 

Gcweka also revealed that Gwabeni shared the money with his co-accused and paid them just over R100 000. 

When transferring the money, Gwabeni used the reference “dividend”. However, none of the accused are shareholders in his companies. 

The State is adamant that the money was for the contract killing disguised as payment for services rendered. 

BHEKI CELE COMMENTS ON LATEST ALLEGATIONS

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Cele said police investigate and follow the pointers. 

“Police don’t just sleep and dream about who to pick up tomorrow morning,” he said. 

“For police to put the name Mfundo Gcaba in the [court] papers and affidavit means they have found something,” he reiterated. 

Whether Gcaba is the paymaster, Cele said it would be a fact that the State would table to prove the claim. However, so far, they are comfortable and happy with the investigation.

[WATCH] "For the police to put the name of Mfundo Gcaba on the papers and affidavit means they have found something." – Police Minister Bheki Cele in conversation with @XoliMngambi on the 'AKA' and ‘Tibz’ murder cases. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/ufR4322ev2

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 2, 2024

GCABA FAMILY VOWS TO COOOPERATE

Following the startling allegations, the Gcaba family released a statement.

In the statement, Mandla Gcaba said financial transactions between Mfundo and Gwabeni (accused 4) were purely for business purposes.

He added that bank records can verify numerous transactions that are not unique or isolated.

“We are concerned that the authorities have not yet approached Mfundo to share his side of the story. We believe in the principle of fairness and the right to be heard. We urge that this opportunity be extended to him at the earliest convenience,” Mandla Gcaba explained.

Furthermore, Mandla said Mfundo has assured them as a family that he has no connections to illegal activities, nor does he have any motive to engage in such.

“His business dealings are legitimate and transparent, having nothing to hide from anyone, least of all our law enforcement. We stand united in our support for Mfundo and remain steadfast in our commitment to the rule of law,” he added.

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