Indictments have been served on the five men accused of killing rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane, confirming their first appearance in the Durban High Court to be on May 8.

According to an article published by Berea Mail, Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Ndimande appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today before Magistrate Vincent Hlatshwayo.

Hlatshwayo confirmed that the case is ready to move to the Durban High Court for litigation.

This was after state prosecutor Advocate Lawrence Gcaba confirmed to the court and Hlatshwayo that their side was ready to go to trial in the Durban High Court.

“Consulting attorney Mr Maharaj will provide the state with a hard drive because of the size of documents of evidence, and then it will be shared among the defence,” said Gcaba as he showed the court a hefty folder of documents that the state will be presenting into evidence in relation to the February 2023 murders on Florida Road in Durban.

The five accused face 11 charges which include conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, two for possession of a prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. The attempted murder charges are in relation to the victims who were in the vicinity at the time of the shooting and were filed under common purpose.

According to the state’s case, the accused conspired to kill Forbes, who they allegedly tracked from King Shaka International Airport to the now-closed Wish restaurant where the murders took place when the All Eyes on Me rapper stood outside with his entourage and friends at around 22:00.

“Motsoane, who was in the immediate vicinity of Forbes when the shooting commenced, was also shot and he died a short distance from where he was shot,” read the court documents.

It further stated: “The state alleges that at all relevant times during the commission of these offences, the accused acted in furtherance of a common purpose. It is at present unknown to the state who all the parties thereto were and precisely when, where and or what manner the common purpose was formed, but it is alleged that it was in existence at least immediately prior to and for the duration of the commission of the offence.”

Hlatshwayo, who was satisfied with the proceedings, ruled that the matter can be transferred to the High Court for May 8.