Minister of Police Bheki Cele disclosed that his department incurred expenses amounting to R176,000 for his attendance at a media conference in Durban following the arrest of five suspects in connection with the murder of Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA.
Forbes was tragically shot outside a restaurant alongside his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
Cele detailed that they utilized a South African Police Service (SAPS) Cessna sovereign for the two-hour flight to Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, where he, accompanied by senior officials, announced the arrest of the suspects.
Two additional suspects remain in Eswatini, and efforts are underway by the National Prosecuting Authority to extradite them to South Africa to face murder charges.
Minister Cele clarified that the flight cost included various components such as fuel, airframe maintenance, labor, parts, engine restoration, and miscellaneous expenses.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Democratic Alliance member Okkie Terblanche, Cele provided insights into the expenses incurred for the media briefing.
The suspects were apprehended at the end of February, coinciding with Cele’s briefing in Durban. Currently, the five suspects have applied for bail. They are identified as Lindokuhle Ndimande, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, and Mziwetbemba Gwabeni.
Meanwhile, Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, arrested in Eswatini, are contending extradition to South Africa.
( Sources : southafrica24news)