AKA murder: Accused No 4 denied R800k was for the murder
Accused number 4 in the AKA murder case has vehemently denied that the large sum of money paid into his account was for the murder.
Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, one of the seven suspects accused of successfully plotting the AKA murder when rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes was gunned down in Durban last year, applied for bail on Tuesday, 19 March.
AKA MURDER SUSPECT: MZIWETHEMBA HARVEY GWABENI’S BAIL APPLICATION
Durban businessman Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni also known as accused number four was pointed out as the paymaster in the AKA murder case, according to The Citizen. The state reportedly accused Gwabeni of receiving more than R800,000 in his bank account and sharing the cash with his co-accused.
According to the publication, Gwabeni’s bail application was cut short after the state wanted certain documents and emails omitted from his affidavit. Furthermore, it was reported that State prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba said he couldn’t believe that his emails formed part of accused four’s bail application.
“There was no need for myself as the person who was generating that email to include any of my colleagues in that email. If the exchange is between ourselves and I find my emails in accused number four’s papers, whereas he was not part of that conversation, it is concerning,” Gcaba was quoted as saying.
The 36-year-old murder suspect is facing several charges including conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and more.
MORE ABOUT THE MURDER SUSPECT IN COURT
During his bail application, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni’s bail affidavit was read out at the Durban Magistrate’s Court, IOL reported.
“I shall now deal with the allegation, certainly as stated in the media, that I received R800 000.00 the day that the deceased were killed and that I transferred R133 000.00 to Lindokuhle Ndimande. Once again, the State is relying upon coincidence,” Gwabeni was quoted as saying in the affidavit.
“I do not know anyone by the name of Sphamandla Ngcobo. The R803 000.00 was paid to me from a reputable company, whom I have done business with before. In fact, our business relationship goes back as early as three years back. Given the above, I record that the investigations shall reveal that this was not a once-off payment as alleged,” the accused’s affidavit reportedly read.