Culture

South African police links prominent businessman to AKA’s murder

Published

9 months ago

March 29, 2024

South African Police have linked prominent businessman, Sydney Mfundo Gcaba, to the murder of rapper, Kiernan Forbes, also known as AKA, who was gunned down together with his close friend, Tibz Motsoane, outside a Durban restaurant in February last year.

According to a statement by the police, Mfundo who is a nephew to former President Jacob Zuma, allegedly paid more than R800,000 into the account of one of the suspects who were arrested last month for the double murder.

Mfundo Gcaba is a member of the wealthy Gcaba family which controls numerous other companies in addition to an enormous taxi empire in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.

The police said its investigations have revealed that the money was paid into the account of the accused on 11 February, a day after the murder of AKA and Tibz, alleging that the money was paid as proceeds for the murder of Forbes.

In an affidavit deposed by lead investigating officer, Kumaran Pillay, the police alleges that “one of the Gcaba brothers paid a sum of more than R800,000 into one of the bank accounts of the accused.”

“Durban businessman and taxi business funder, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, who’s also one of the accused in the matter, allegedly received the money into his business bank account the day after the murder on 11 February,” the affidavit said.

“The money was paid via the business bank account of Bright Circle Pty Ltd, a company Gcaba is the sole director of. Gwabeni proceeded to pay his co-accused an amount of R133,000 each thereafter.”

State prosecutor, Advocate Elvis Gcweka, who also addressed a press conference on the outcome of investigations thus far, said that cellphone records gathered showed that prior to the money being paid, Gwabeni and Gcaba spoke.

“Shortly after this call, an amount of R803,455 is transferred into the bank account of the applicant.

“The reference for the payment was made under “consults” but investigations so far have been unable to establish a business relationship between them.

“The money was then allegedly divided equally among the seven accused,” the prosecutor said.

Related Topics:AKA Featured Murder Rapper Sydney Mfundo

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Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

Culture

UNESCO lists Ghana’s Kente cloth as cultural heritage

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The iconic Ghanaian Kente, a piece of clothing, has been recognized as a cultural heritage on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The global recognition, according to the UN body, is coming under the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage highlights the cultural and historical significance of the vibrant, handwoven textile.

In a citation on its website, UNESCO describes the Kente cloth as “originating from Ghana’s Asante and Ewe communities and renowned worldwide for its bold colors, intricate patterns, and deep symbolic meanings, embodying the creativity and identity of the Ghanaian people.”

Ghana’s Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, described the recognition as a testament to Ghana’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

“This achievement places Ghana at the forefront of global efforts to safeguard and celebrate cultural traditions,” he noted.

In a statement acknowledging the recognition, Mercer said the “Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, UNESCO, and the artisans, cultural institutions, and traditional authorities who contributed to this milestone.”

“Special acknowledgement is given to the Bonwire and Agotime communities for their enduring role as custodians of the craft.

“As Ghana celebrates this historic moment, MoTAC reaffirms its dedication to promoting and preserving the nation’s rich cultural legacy.”