Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande Charged in AKA Forbes Murder After Extradition from Eswatini
Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande have been formally charged with the murders of South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, following their extradition from Eswatini. The 2023 Durban shooting shocked the nation and continues to unfold in South Africa’s courts.
AKA Murder Case Update: Ndimande Brothers Formally Charged After Extradition
In a major breakthrough in one of South Africa’s most closely watched murder investigations, Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande have officially been charged with the murders of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. Their indictment follows their extradition from Eswatini after nearly two years of legal battles to avoid deportation.
The charges stem from a coordinated hit on February 10, 2023, outside the Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban, where the two men were gunned down in what police describe as a meticulously planned assassination.
The Night of the Attack
The tragedy unfolded just before 10:00 PM as AKA, born Kiernan Jarryd Forbes in 1988, was leaving the restaurant for a birthday celebration performance. CCTV footage captured the chilling scene — gunmen approached and fired multiple shots, killing Forbes instantly with a head wound.
Tibz Motsoane, a well-known chef and friend, was also killed, believed to have been an unintended victim caught in the crossfire.
Police later revealed that the hit involved multiple players — spotters, shooters, a coordinator, and a firearms supplier — with the Ndimande brothers suspected to have played direct roles in the deadly operation.
Formal Charges and Court Proceedings
The Durban Magistrate’s Court formally charged the brothers on November 11, 2025, shortly after their extradition. They face:
- Two counts of murder
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Attempted murder
- Unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition
Magistrate Irfan Khalil presided over the hearing, where the brothers appeared in leg irons under tight security. Their legal teams — advocates Simphiwe Mlotshwa and Sibusiso Dlamini — requested time for consultation, leading to a court postponement until November 25, 2025.
They will join five other accused already awaiting trial in connection with the case, which is scheduled for July 2026 in the Durban High Court.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2023 | AKA and Tibz killed in a shooting outside Wish restaurant, Durban |
| Oct 2023 | Several suspects arrested, linked to the hit operation |
| Feb 2024 | Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande arrested in Eswatini |
| Aug 2024 | Eswatini court grants extradition order |
| Oct 2025 | Ndimande brothers abandon final appeal |
| Nov 11, 2025 | Extradited to South Africa; appear in Durban court |
| Nov 25, 2025 | Scheduled follow-up court appearance |
| June 19, 2026 | Pre-trial hearing in Durban High Court |
| July–Aug 2026 | First trial phase |
| Oct–Nov 2026 | Second trial phase |
The Other Accused
| Name | Age | Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Siyabonga Ndimande | N/A | 2× Murder, Conspiracy, Attempted Murder, Firearms |
| Malusi Ndimande | N/A | 2× Murder, Conspiracy, Attempted Murder, Firearms |
| Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi | 30 | 2× Murder, Conspiracy, Firearms |
| Lindani Zenzele Ndimande | 35 | 2× Murder, Conspiracy, Firearms |
| Siyanda Eddie Myeza | 21 | 2× Murder, Conspiracy, Firearms |
| Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni | 36 | 2× Murder, Conspiracy, Firearms |
| Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande | 29 | 2× Murder, Conspiracy, Firearms |
Family and Public Reaction
Tony Forbes, AKA’s father, welcomed the progress but emphasized the need to uncover the true motive and mastermind behind the hit. His mother, Lynn Forbes, shared an emotional Instagram post:
“This South African air is suffocating today … I cannot breathe.”
The case has reignited conversations about celebrity safety and South Africa’s violent crime crisis, as the country continues to grapple with one of the world’s highest murder rates.
On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), fans and citizens have praised the SAPS investigative team, led by Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, for relentless pursuit of justice.
Looking Ahead
As the case moves toward trial in 2026, the spotlight remains on uncovering the full network behind AKA’s assassination. While the extradition and charging of the Ndimande brothers mark a significant step forward, unanswered questions about motive, payment, and coordination continue to loom large.
For millions of fans, justice for Kiernan “AKA” Forbes represents not just closure, but a call for deeper reform against the culture of contract killings plaguing South Africa’s music and entertainment scene.