Witness safety raised at AKA-Tibz murder trial

The growing concern over witness safety in the trial of seven men accused of killing Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have prompted the State to seek protection for witnesses, particularly civilians who may be at risk.

The Durban High Court heard that the move follows alleged threatening messages received by a surveillance analyst at King Shaka International Airport, who testified Monday.

State Prosecutor Elvis Gcweka told the court that the witness had reportedly received threats from people who believe he has information about the day Forbes and Motsoane were killed.

Gcweka says two other witnesses who are expected to testify next have asked not to be identified.

“It is one of the reasons other witnesses who are going to testify.

Others called me they were concerns My Lady about being shown on TV.” “They do not have a problem of coming here to testify in an open court My Lady, the only request is that their faces must not be shown on TV.

Some of them it is because of the fear, some of them is because of their businesses.

This one is requesting that his face must not be show on TV and must not be circulated.” RELATED VIDEO |AKA-Tibz Murder Case | Ballistics witness provides crucial gun evidence