AKA murder case postponed as Ndimande brothers appear in Durban court

The case against the Ndimande brothers, accused of the murders of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, has been postponed to 25 November 2025.

The Durban Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu Natal on Tuesday granted the postponement to allow the two accused time to consult with their lawyers following their extradition from Eswatini earlier in the day.

Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, marking their first appearance on South African soil after a two-year extradition battle. The brothers are facing multiple charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The pair are accused of being central figures in the February 2023 shooting outside Wish Restaurant on Florida Road in Durban, where Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down. Police have described the killings as a “well-coordinated assassination.”

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who was in court with members of the SAPS provincial leadership, said the police had deployed extensive resources to ensure the safe transfer of the suspects from Eswatini to Durban.

“As you can imagine, the court directs that human rights must be present where these people are moved so that their safety is ensured,” said Mkhwanazi. “The aircraft that was used is a police aircraft. It is not a jet for luxury use. It is an operational aircraft for operations like this. We had to make provisions for that.”

He said police had considered both the risks and costs associated with transporting the accused. “The cost of flying the jet from Pretoria to Eswatini and back is high, but we had to make sure that they arrive here safely. There are threats associated with the case. These are suspects in the killing of a famous musician, and there are people who might not want them alive in order to try and kill the case,” Mkhwanazi said.

He added that the visible police presence seen at King Shaka International Airport and on Durban’s roads was part of a broader security plan. “We had to make sure that we have area coverage that can see anyone hiding in any bush or any tree. You might have seen a lot of vehicles at the airport, but those were part of operational cover,” he said.

The State told the court that it intends to oppose bail for the Ndimande brothers should they apply for it. The brothers were handed over to South African authorities on Tuesday morning after the Eswatini High Court approved their extradition following a lengthy legal process.

They are the last two suspects among the seven accused linked to the double murder to appear in court. Police confirmed that all extradition procedures were completed and that the accused would now face charges in South Africa.

The Ndimande brothers were arrested in Eswatini in February this year, allegedly in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. According to investigators, they were traced through Interpol following extensive collaboration between South African and Eswatini authorities.

Sources close to the investigation have indicated that the evidence against the brothers includes traced financial transactions, links to the murder weapons and getaway vehicle, as well as CCTV footage from the crime scene. It is alleged that the suspects received R133 000 of an E800 000 payment that was allegedly made for the killing of the rapper and his friend.

Earlier on Tuesday, the brothers’ lawyer, identified as Dlamini, told the court that he had not yet received full instructions from his clients and requested time to consult with them. The magistrate granted the postponement and remanded the accused in custody until their next appearance later this month.

Meanwhile, Tony Forbes, father of the slain musician, said the family welcomed the progress but continued to seek answers about who ordered the killing.

“We are grateful that the suspects are finally appearing in court, but our biggest question remains; who commissioned the hit? We want justice, and we want the truth about why my son and his friend were killed,” said Forbes.

He said the family had endured deep pain and frustration since the murder. “It has been a long and difficult journey for us, but we have faith that justice will prevail. We hope that all those involved, including whoever planned this, will be brought to justice,” he said.

Police escorted the brothers to court under tight security, with heavily armed Tactical Response Team, Public Order Policing, and Special Task Force members guarding the convoy. An SAPS helicopter patrolled overhead as the suspects were transported from King Shaka International Airport to Durban Central Police Station and then to court.

The brothers appeared calm during proceedings, with Siyabonga Ndimande standing briefly in the dock before being escorted back to the holding cells. His brother remained seated as their legal representative addressed