The post Tony Forbes Opens Up On Grief As AKA Murder Trial Begins appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Tony Forbes Opens Up On Grief As AKA Murder Trial Begins. Tony Forbes has spoken about the emotional weight of his son Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ murder trial, saying he wants the proceedings to establish the truth and give the family a measure of closure.
Speaking outside the High Court in Durban as the long-awaited trial got underway, Forbes said the reality of the case became particularly difficult when prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba read out the charges against the accused.
“There was only one moment where the emotions started hitting,” Forbes said. “That was when Lawrence read out the charges. And you know the words, like, ‘desire to kill Kiernan Jarryd Forbes.’ That was the first real moment for me.”
Forbes said the emotional impact could become more difficult as the proceedings continue, particularly when the court is confronted with images and evidence connected to the February 2023 shooting that claimed the lives of AKA and his close friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
“It’s not easy,” he said. “Right now it’s still manageable emotionally. But it’s an important milestone to have started.”
Forbes was equally direct when asked what he wants from the trial, which involves seven men who have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, attempted murder and firearms-related offences.
“Justice. Justice. As much as we can. We want justice. We want to know the truth,” he said.
While a conviction could provide accountability, Forbes acknowledged that no court outcome can undo the loss suffered by the families.
“It will never take away the loss. The loss and the pain will always be with us,” he said. “But at least we could understand what happened. We have to get some measure of closure to move on. All of us as family.”
More than three years after AKA was killed at the age of 35, his father said he continues to process the loss in deeply personal ways. Music has remained one of the ways he connects with his son and deals with the reality of his absence.
“I still feel the loss, coming to terms with it. I use music. I use voice very often. And then… I would enjoy it and sort of get lost in them. And then very quickly I realise as well, sometimes it’s all something that is surreal. I can’t believe it.”
Forbes also admitted that grief can bring anger, particularly when he reflects on the life his son should have had.
“I have a fear… of being bitter. Sometimes I get angrier towards the fact that his life is cut short,” he said, while acknowledging the importance of not allowing that anger to define his life.
“I don’t usually let that dictate how I live my life. It’s bad enough that we have lost a hero. So we carry on.”
The trial began on Monday, 5 October 2026, more than three and a half years after AKA and Tibz were shot outside the former Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban.
Both Forbes and Tibz’s father, Sylvester Motsoane, have attended the proceedings as the families continue to seek answers about what led to the deaths of their loved ones.
For Tony Forbes, the trial cannot erase the grief that followed his son’s death. Instead, he hopes the proceedings will establish the truth, deliver justice and provide the family with enough understanding to begin moving forward while keeping AKA’s memory alive.
The post Tony Forbes Opens Up On Grief As AKA Murder Trial Begins appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Tony Forbes Opens Up On Grief As AKA Murder Trial Begins appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Tony Forbes Opens Up On Grief As AKA Murder Trial Begins. Tony Forbes has spoken about the emotional weight of his son Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ murder trial, saying he wants the proceedings to establish the truth and give the family a measure of closure. Tony Forbes Opens Up On Grief As AKA Murder Trial Begins …
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