In a pivotal ruling, the Manzini District Court in Eswatini has sanctioned South Africa’s request to extradite Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, who are accused of the high-profile murders of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his former manager, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. Principal Magistrate David Khumalo delivered the decision on Friday.
The Ndimande brothers, aged 29 and 28, are facing severe charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. These charges are linked to the tragic incident on February 10, 2023, when Forbes and Motsoane were shot dead on Florida Road in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
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The extradition request was initiated by South Africa’s National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, who signed the necessary documents earlier this year. The brothers were later apprehended in Mbabane, Eswatini, on unrelated charges, which facilitated their detention and the subsequent extradition process.
During the court proceedings, Magistrate Khumalo noted that the evidence provided by South African authorities was sufficient to justify the extradition. “The evidence disclosed by the applicants as linking the respondents in the commission of the offence constitutes sufficient reason to extradite,” he stated.
This decision represents a significant step towards justice for the families of Forbes and Motsoane. The extradition of the Ndimande brothers to South Africa will enable them to stand trial and respond to the charges against them.
The case has attracted considerable public interest, not only because of the prominence of the victims but also due to the collaborative efforts between Eswatini and South African law enforcement agencies in addressing cross-border crime.
As the legal process unfolds, the families of the victims and the general public are keenly awaiting further developments, hoping for a resolution that delivers justice and closure to this tragic episode.
