Judge Intervenes After Defence Objections Halt Expert Testimony In AKA Murder Trial

The murder trial of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane was disrupted on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, after defence lawyers raised objections to the testimony of a state witness.

Carel Rothmann, a Cartrack fleet administrator and tracking expert, was called to testify about vehicle-tracking data allegedly linked to the surveillance of AKA before he and Motsoane were shot dead in Durban in February 2023.

The objections prompted Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi to call the prosecution and defence teams into chambers for urgent discussions on how the testimony should proceed.

Defence Challenges Expert’s Evidence

The first objection was raised by advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa, who requested Rothmann’s full affidavit before the witness could continue testifying.

Mlotshwa argued that the defence needed an opportunity to consult with the accused and its own expert before proceeding with the evidence.

Other defence lawyers supported the objection. Sipunzi initially ruled that Rothmann could continue, having heard that the defence already had his affidavit and reports.

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However, the dispute resurfaced after the tea break when advocate William Nicholson raised a further objection.

Nicholson demanded access to the full affidavit and all the material Rothmann intended to rely on during his testimony. He also claimed that approximately 95% of the expert’s evidence was not contained in the original affidavit.

“We need our own expert present when this witness testifies,” Nicholson argued.

Following discussions in chambers, Sipunzi reached a compromise. Rothmann would complete his evidence-in-chief, after which proceedings would stand down to give the defence time to prepare before cross-examining him.

Tracking Data Focuses On Two Vehicles

Rothmann’s testimony centred on two vehicles allegedly connected to the surveillance of AKA: a grey Volkswagen Polo and a Hyundai Grand i10.

The state alleges that accused number four, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, rented both vehicles from Sonwabile Bani. Bani had previously testified about the rental arrangement, according to the information presented in court.

Prosecutors allege that the vehicles were used by individuals monitoring AKA’s movements around Wish restaurant before the fatal shooting.

The tracking information presented by Rothmann indicated that both vehicles left Keeler Place in Durban on 9 February 2023.

According to the testimony described in court, both vehicles were also recorded at the same location in Keeler Place during the afternoon and evening of 10 February 2023, the day AKA and Motsoane were killed.

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The data further indicated that the vehicles travelled in the same direction during the period under examination.

The significance of the tracking records remains part of the state’s case, and the allegations against the accused have yet to be determined by the court.

Trial Continues

The dispute over Rothmann’s testimony highlighted the disagreement between the prosecution and defence over the material required to prepare for cross-examination.

Under the compromise reached by the court, the expert was to finish his evidence-in-chief before the defence received additional preparation time.

The trial into the murders of AKA and Motsoane continues at the Durban High Court.

The accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.