AKA murder trial: Alleged killers linked to business account used to pay hit squad

Two brothers accused of assassinating award-winning rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and his close friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane made their first appearance in a South African court on Tuesday following their extradition from eSwatini.

Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande appeared before Magistrate Irfaan Khalil in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, with senior state prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba leading the State’s case. The brothers were represented by attorney Sibusiso Dlamini and advocate Cyril Mlotshwa.

“This is the accused’s first appearance in a South African court after their extradition from the Kingdom of eSwatini on a request for a provisional arrest from the authorities in South Africa… There was a request for them to be indicted on three separate matters,” Gcaba said.

Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande’s case has been postponed until November 25 to allow for their legal counsel to consult with them.

The Ndimande brothers are accused of killing rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane make their first appearance at the… pic.twitter.com/mwLMIc4sFA

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KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was present in court and told reporters that police were investigating the financial trail linked to the killings.

He revealed that a key figure believed to have coordinated the assassinations had already been identified.

“That person paid the entire group after the job,” Mkhwanazi said. “But he used his bank account to transfer money. That’s a business account that he used. We are investigating further.”

Gcaba told the court that, as part of the extradition process, human rights oversight had been built into the proceedings.

“This is to ensure observance, respect, and protection of the respondents’ human rights,” he said, explaining that individuals from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) were available throughout the process.”

KZN provincial commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says the investigation around the money that allegedly funded the killings of Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane are still ongoing. https://t.co/4FTie7ZcV3

📷: Nomonde Zondi… pic.twitter.com/z4UMQNugEn

— IOL News (@IOL) November 11, 2025

However, Mlotshwa, raised concerns about access to his clients. “Before the date of the postponement, we will be visiting them in the correctional services facility. However, I wouldn’t know if that security detail will allow us to consult with them privately.”

Magistrate Khalil stressed that the accused were constitutionally entitled to consult with their legal representatives, adding that security protocols would not interfere with that right.

The case was postponed to November 25 to allow the defence team time to consult with the accused.

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