{
  "id": 14279096,
  "title": "‘I thought it was a prank’: Witness recounts moments after AKA and Tibz shooting",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/i-thought-it-was-a-prank-witness-recounts-moments-after-aka-and-tibz",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T19:33:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/witness-testimony-aka-tibz-murder-trial-shooting/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A witness recounted the chilling moments following the fatal shooting of rappers Kiernan \"AKA\" Forbes and Tebello \"Tibz\" Motsoane outside a Durban restaurant, revealing that the initial noise led him to mistake it for fireworks. Club promoter Simphiwe Ngidi testified before the KwaZulu-Natal High Court that he had transported Forbes and his entourage to the restaurant after collecting them from the airport. The group dined before moving outside for a final goodbye when the gunfire erupted. Ngidi, initially unsure of the severity, thought the loud noise and sparks resembled a prank. He rushed to hide inside a passage when the gravity of the situation became clear, seeing Forbes and Motsoane in a critical condition. He and others contacted emergency services and attempted to secure the crime scene amidst the shock. Seven men face various charges, including murder and conspiracy, with the prosecution alleging they were paid R800,000 for their roles. The trial has seen restrictions on media coverage eased, allowing witnesses to be identified and their testimony broadcast in court.",
  "summary": "'I thought maybe someone was really playing with fireworks.'",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Don Design describes AKA and Tibz shooting outside Wish restaurant",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/don-design-describes-aka-and-tibz-shooting-outside-wish-restaurant",
        "published": "2026-10-13T16:07:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}