Forensic fingerprint analyst testifies at AKA-Tibz murder trial

Forensic fingerprint analyst Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Zachariah has testified in the murder trial of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and businessman Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, at the Durban High Court.

Zachariah, who is the state’s 25th witness on the indictment, testified about evidence linked to the Mayville shooting of taxi boss Gift Khanyile in 2022.

The court heard that DNA fingerprint samples recovered from a car at the Mayville crime scene matched those of accused number three, Siyanda Eddie Myeza.

AKA-TIBZ MURDER TRIAL | Investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Zakkariah is testifying about crime-scene evidence and links to a separate murder investigation in the murder trial of Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. https://t.co/uCYT7G83hl — SABC News (@SABCNews) October 20, 2026 The case also involves ballistic evidence relating to a firearm allegedly found in Myeza’s possession.

The weapon is linked to the Mayville incident and also fired two shots at the Florida shooting where Forbes and Motsoane were shot and killed 2023.

State prosecutor advocate Lawrence Gcaba questioned Zachariah about the fingerprints.

“Now take us through what happened did you take any fingerprints in this Etios? Yes, we did take the fingerprints, they were collected from the scene and then on the 06th of June 2023, I had access to these fingerprints.” However, the defence has challenged the State’s DNA evidence.

AKA-TIBZ MURDER TRIAL | Investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Zakkariah is testifying about crime-scene evidence and links to a separate murder investigation in the murder trial of Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. https://t.co/uCYT7G83hl — SABC News (@SABCNews) October 20, 2026 Myeza’s attorney advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa questioned how the DNA evidence was collected.

Mlotshwa told the court that Myeza had previously worked at a carwash, suggesting this could explain how his DNA may have ended up at the scene.

“As I started of by saying I accept your expertise.

I now want your expert opinion.

Assuming this car would have been taken to the car wash, would your expertise be able to dispute make a difference of fingers that could have landed during the car wash?? That will take us to when the car wash was, and when the set of fingerprints were place onto the vehicle.

Some factors can play into that account out when I processed that vehicle, the surface was fairly clear,” says Mlotshwa.

RELATED VIDEO | The trial of seven men linked to the murders of Kiernan Forbes and Tebello Motsoane continues