South Africa — Culture / music

AKA Kiernan Forbes

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “Long-running public feud with Cassper Nyovest, including slap ultimately admitted” and “Use of homophobic term "moffie": public apology”.

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Profile No. 0565 · Updated on 13 October 2026

7Documented controversies

13Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2021-2026

Anele Tembe: domestic violence allegations, AKA's denial, no prosecution and inquest postponed until September 2026

Case dismissed / dropped

After Anele Tembe's death in April 2021, videos and accounts fuelled public allegations of domestic violence, including footage showing AKA forcing open a door behind which Tembe had locked herself. AKA publicly denied being an abuser. The NPA subsequently decided not to prosecute anyone after examining forensic and police evidence, but an inquest was opened to determine the circumstances of the death and any possible responsibility.

Attribution: Protagonist is a witness

Sources · 3

[1]
TimesLIVEWATCH | From the day Nelli Tembe died to abuse allegations — revelations from AKA's tell-allMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Mail & GuardianAnele Tembe inquest postponed to September after magistrate falls illMediaHigh reliability
[3]
SABC NewsCriminal case possible in Anele Tembe death: NPAMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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2023-2026

AKA's murder in 2023: seven defendants before High Court and trial set for October–November 2026

Formally charged — against a third party

Protagonist is the victim — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane were shot dead on 10 February 2023 in Durban. Following arrests and the extradition of two suspects from Eswatini, seven men were prosecuted on charges including conspiracy to murder, two counts of murder, attempted murder and firearms offences. In June 2026, all seven defendants appeared together and the trial was set for 5 October to 6 November 2026.

Role of the person profiled: Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 2

[1]
National Prosecuting Authority of South AfricaSEVEN ACCUSED IN AKA AND TIBZ MURDER CASE APPEAR IN COURTOfficial documentHigh reliability
[2]
eNCAUPDATE: AKA, Tibz murder trial set for October and NovemberMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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2021-2022

The Braai Show: removal from season two, intellectual property battle and arbitration victory

Civil / administrative proceedings

When Cassper Nyovest was selected to present season two of The Braai Show, AKA challenged his removal and claimed to be co-owner and creator of the programme. Producer MakhuduCom/Cake Media initially maintained that he had no role in the new season. AKA referred the dispute to the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 2

[1]
SowetanAKA wins braai show battle over ownership rightsMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Sowetan'AKA plays no role in season two of The Braai Show'MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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2020

Use of homophobic term "moffie": public apology

No legal proceedings

AKA used the derogatory South African term "moffie" on social media, prompting criticism for homophobia.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: Not applicable
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
IOLAKA issues apology for using homophobic slurMediaHigh reliability
[2]
TimesLIVEAKA apologises amid 'm-word' backlashMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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2020

Reebok SneAKA: public allegation of non-payment and split with brand

No legal proceedings

AKA claimed that Reebok had not properly paid him for his SneAKA collaboration and announced the end of his relationship with the brand.

State of the evidence: Disputed
Legal status — source text: Not applicable
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
IOLEXCLUSIVE: Reebok responds to AKA's claim of non-payment for SneAKA collabMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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2014-2016

Long-running public feud with Cassper Nyovest, including slap ultimately admitted

No legal proceedings

The rivalry between AKA and Cassper Nyovest escalated over several years into insults, threats and public confrontations. In August 2015, Cassper accused AKA of slapping him in a club; AKA initially denied it but subsequently publicly admitted the slap and expressed regret.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The CitizenAKA admits he slapped Cassper NyovestMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The CitizenAKA apologises to his fansMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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2015

Break-up with DJ Zinhle: public revelation of affair with Bonang Matheba during pregnancy

No legal proceedings

In September 2015, DJ Zinhle publicly explained that she had discovered, one week before their daughter's birth, that AKA had been having an affair with Bonang Matheba for more than five months. She stated that AKA had confirmed the relationship in a conversation. The episode prompted major media controversy in South Africa.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Legal status — source text: Not applicable

Sources · 1

[1]
The CitizenDJ Zinhle confirms Bonang and AKA affairMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.