The Manzini Magistrates Court in eSwatini has approved the extradition of two brothers, Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, accused of murdering Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, back to South Africa.
Arrested in eSwatini last year, they face charges related to the deaths of the two celebrities.
Delivering the ruling, Principal Magistrate David Khumalo emphasized that extradition requires sufficient evidence to justify a trial. He stated that evidence such as cellphone records, tracker reports, and video footage provided enough grounds to proceed with the extradition.
The defense had previously argued that the brothers feared for their safety, citing threats from the police, and requested not to be returned to South Africa.
However, Khumalo noted that the threats were attributed to specific officers, not the entire police force. The court was informed that investigations had been launched, and assurances were given that those responsible would be held accountable.
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In addition, police and correctional services officials guaranteed maximum security for the brothers during their transfer, with the South African Human Rights Commission also being tasked with ensuring their safety and protection.
The Ndimande brothers, along with several co-accused, including Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, recently appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court, where the case was postponed to November 29 to allow for further investigation.
The accused face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and attempted murder. Some also face money laundering charges.
In a significant development in the case, it was revealed that taxi boss Mfundo Gcaba, the nephew of former South African President Jacob Zuma, allegedly transferred over R800,000 to one of the accused, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, a day after AKA and Tibz were killed.
This revelation, presented during the inquest, deepens the complexity of the investigation, raising new questions about the motives behind the murders and the extent of the conspiracy.