In the Durban High Court on 28 October 2026, Cartrack expert Carel Dreyer Rothmann presented GPS vehicle tracking evidence in the ongoing murder trial of rappers Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, who were shot dead outside the Wish restaurant on Florida Road, Durban, on 10 February 2023.
Rothmann testified that GPS data placed a grey Volkswagen Polo near a hotel in Umhlanga and later on Florida Road between 9:10pm and 10:24pm on the evening of the murders. The state used this evidence to establish the presence and movements of two vehicles allegedly used to monitor AKA and likely linked to the killings. The second vehicle, a Hyundai Grand i10, reportedly showed similar ignition times and routes, suggesting the two cars possibly followed each other during the period under investigation.
According to Rothmann, “So, this is page 10, it’s the same location just looking at a different angle. The Polo position is there, the hotel is on the right, however, I do want to point out that the satellite photo is not showing the hotel because the image taken is from 2014.” This testimony was admitted after the defence objected but the court, presided over by Judge Nomfundo Sipunzi, ruled in favour of allowing the expert to continue.
Evidence presented from tracking records showed both vehicles left Keeler Place in Durban on 9 February 2023 and were parked back there on the afternoon and evening of 10 February 2023. This timeline aligns with the prosecution’s narrative of premeditated surveillance ahead of the murders.
Separate CCTV evidence also played a role in the case. A CCTV expert traced the alleged getaway car after the killings to Manor Gardens, in the area of Cato Manor, where it was recovered. This adds to the prosecution’s attempt to map the suspects’ movements before and after the fatal shooting.
Despite the state’s strong reliance on the vehicle tracking data, some aspects remain unverified publicly. The precise methodology behind the GPS analysis and the extent to which the two vehicles definitively followed each other remain contested points. The court has yet to make a conclusive finding on the weight of this technical evidence as the trial continues.
The case highlights the growing use of digital forensic tools in South African criminal investigations, where vehicle tracking and CCTV footage are increasingly critical in reconstructing complex crime scenes and movements.
Judge Sipunzi’s decision to admit Rothmann’s evidence despite defence objections underscores the judiciary’s willingness to engage with technical expertise in high-profile trials. Defence counsel Advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa had requested a pause to consult with the accused and their expert before further testimony.
The trial is ongoing, with further testimonies and evidence expected as prosecutors build their case. The full judicial determination of the vehicle tracking data’s credibility and its implications for the accused’s guilt remains pending.
Cape Flats News will continue to monitor developments in the AKA and Tibz murder trial and report updates as they unfold.