THE alleged hitmen in the murder trial of Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane have made their first court  appearance following their extradition from eSwatini this morning and were remanded in custody until November 25 pending consultation with their lawyers.

Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Irfaan Khalil with KZN Police Commisioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi attending the proceedings. Under heavy guard with Interpol and three members of the South African Human Rights Commission present, the matter got underway after 15:00.

“For the first appearance, it’s a must that members of SAHRC are present,” said State prosecutor Advocate Lawrence Gcaba.

In the dock the alleged hitmen were informed of the charges they will soon be facing when they join their co-accused in July 2026. They face two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition among other charges.

In a turn of events Gcaba informed the court that the Ndimande brothers were implicated in two other cases of murder and attempted murder.

“The first is murder of William Kunene, there are four others already in custody for that case, and they will join the other accused when the matter next appears in court,” said Gcaba.

For the second charge there are six counts, including conspiracy to murder Siyabonga Ngcobo and murder of Nhlanhla Ngcobo.

Also Read: AKA and Tibz murder case moves to Durban High Court

The brothers, who were arrested in Mbabane, were brought back to South Africa after reportedly abandoning the appeal of their extradition. Siyabonga and Malusi were arrested in early 2024 at a rented house in Mbabane, eSwatini, following months of co-ordinated work between SAPS and Interpol.

On her social media the late rapper’s mother, Lynn Forbes, wrote, “If you were the one coming home today … that would be justice for me. Everyone else is just process. This South African air is suffocating today … I cannot breathe 💔”

Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on February 10, 2023. Five accused, Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande were arrested in SA and they remain in prison after their bail applications were denied.

The trial dates are July 20 to August 21, 2026 and October 5 to November 6, 2026.

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