Ndimande Brothers Return to South Africa to Face Charges in AKA and Tibz Case

Back in South Africa: Ndimande Brothers Extradited for AKA and Tibz Murders

After months of legal wrangling in Eswatini, Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande have finally been brought back to South Africa to face justice in the shocking murders of superstar rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.

The brothers, arrested in Mbabane in February 2025, were handed over to South African authorities in a high-risk operation at King Shaka International Airport, Durban, led by Interpol and tactical units of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Court appearance imminent

The Ndimande brothers are set to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where they will face murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition charges. Their return represents a critical step in a case that has gripped the nation since February 2023.

AKA and Tibz were killed in a coordinated hit outside a popular restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road, sending shockwaves through the local music industry and South African public. Police have repeatedly described the Ndimandes as central figures in the planning and execution of the attack.

Extradition saga finally concludes

The brothers had resisted extradition for months, prolonging legal proceedings in Eswatini. Their appeal was eventually withdrawn in October, paving the way for South African authorities to secure their return under SADC extradition protocols.

An Interpol team from South Africa travelled to Eswatini to oversee the handover, working closely with local law enforcement to ensure a secure transfer into South African custody.

A growing list of suspects

With the Ndimandes back in South Africa, the number of suspects held in connection with the murders has risen to seven, following arrests of other alleged hit squad members in Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. Investigators have linked the brothers not only to the double murder but also to other violent crimes in KwaZulu-Natal, including a 2022 taxi boss murder in Amanzimtoti and the attempted murder of a taxi owner’s wife.

These cases point to a wider criminal network operating across the South Africa–Eswatini border, highlighting the challenges authorities face in dismantling organized crime rings involved in contract killings.

Public reaction and social media buzz

The news of the extradition has sparked a flurry of reactions online. Fans of AKA have expressed relief and hope for justice, while crime commentators highlight the case as a test of cross-border law enforcement cooperation. Social media has also amplified calls for swift legal proceedings, emphasizing the national spotlight on this high-profile case.

What comes next

The Ndimande brothers’ arrival sets the stage for intense court proceedings, with investigators expected to reconstruct the events leading to AKA and Tibz’s murders. Prosecutors will likely draw on evidence collected from multiple provinces, including surveillance, witness testimony, and forensic data linking the brothers to the broader criminal network.

For the families, fans, and the South African public, the extradition marks a turning point in a long and painful chapter, and the country watches closely as justice moves forward.

{Source: IOL}

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