Two brothers accused in the high-profile killing of South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have been extradited from Eswatini and handed over to South African authorities.
Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande arrived at King Shaka International Airport in Durban on Tuesday under heavy police escort and were due to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court the same day.
The pair face multiple charges linked to the 2023 shootings, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Authorities say they are among several people implicated in an organized plot that left AKA and Tibz dead in February 2023.
On the evening of February 10, 2023, South African hip-hop star Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, were shot dead outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban.
CCTV footage captured two gunmen approaching and opening fire. The shocking double killing sent waves through South Africa’s music scene and beyond.
In the months that followed, a complex investigation was launched by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to trace not only the gunmen but also their backers.
By early 2024, multiple arrests had been made, and evidence such as vehicles, firearms, and ballistic links was recovered.
The murders shocked the nation and prompted widespread public grief. The criminal investigation has since involved multiple arrests and court appearances over the past two years.
Family responses were immediate and emotional. In an Instagram post, AKA’s mother described the arrival of the suspects as an anguished moment, saying the air in South Africa felt hard to breathe after the long wait for accountability.
His father, in an interview, also expressed cautious relief that the suspects were back to face the justice system and that the matter can now proceed in court.
Investigation Timeline and the Build-up to Extradition
March–August 2023: The investigation made its first major breakthroughs. Police recovered a vehicle linked to the crime in early March, and by April a firearm believed to have been used in the attack was found. By June, authorities had linked that firearm to other murders.
February 2024: Brothers Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande were arrested in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). They were alleged to be part of a broader plot tied to the murders of AKA and Tibz.
March–August 2024: The extradition process began. In March, it emerged that South African authorities had not yet submitted the full documentation to Eswatini for formal extradition proceedings.
In August 2024, the Manzini Magistrate’s Court in Eswatini approved South Africa’s request for the extradition of the Ndimande brothers, citing cellphone records, vehicle tracking data, photographs, and other evidence. The brothers had 15 court days to appeal.
The Legal Battle in Eswatini
While the extradition order was granted in August 2024, the Ndimande brothers launched an appeal, citing security concerns and claiming they were fleeing taxi-related violence rather than evading justice. Legal experts warned that such extradition processes could take up to a year. Cooperation between Pretoria and Mbabane was key to speeding things up.
By the end of October 2025, the brothers formally abandoned their appeal against extradition, clearing the way for their handover. The decision prompted the South African Justice Minister to signal the final stages of the transfer.
Extradition and What It Means for the Broader Case
On November 11, 2025, the Ndimande brothers were brought back to South Africa and arrived in KwaZulu-Natal. The handover was coordinated by Interpol teams from South Africa and Eswatini.
They now join five other accused who have already been in custody in South Africa in relation to the murders of AKA and Tibz. The trial was earlier set for July 2026, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for June.
What the extradition accomplishes:
- It tightens the net around all those alleged to have participated in the crime, signaling state capacity to pursue cross-border fugitives.
- It helps the prosecution consolidate the evidence into fewer dockets, increasing the chances of a robust case at trial.
- It restores a measure of hope for the families of the victims, who have long pressed for accountability and closure.
- It sends a broader message about how high-profile murders of public figures will be treated by law enforcement.
However, challenges remain. The size of the investigation, the number of accused, and the volume of evidence, including CCTV footage, vehicle trackers, ballistics, and phone records, all mean the trial is likely to be long and complex.
Legal experts warn that even with all accused in custody, the trial may take several months once it begins.
Why This Case Matters
The murders of AKA and Tibz cut deep into South Africa as well as the global creative and entertainment industries, highlighting issues of celebrity vulnerability, organized crime, and the use of firearms in brazen daylight attacks.
The case has drawn worldwide attention not only because of the fame of the victims but also because of the sophistication of the alleged operation behind it.
For the justice system, it is a test of extradition mechanisms, inter-country policing cooperation, and its ability to move efficiently from investigation to trial. For families and fans, every procedural step, from arrests to court appearances, carries emotional weight and a collective demand for answers.
Where We Go from Here
The return of the brothers marks a major development in a case that has dominated headlines and reignited debate about organized crime, celebrity safety, and how cross-border legal cooperation can ensure accountability.
Courts will now weigh the evidence, and the families and public will be watching closely as the matter progresses through South Africa’s justice system.
For the victims’ families, the public, and the music industry, this is a long-awaited step toward justice. The journey toward full accountability, however, is far from over.
