AKA and Tibz murder suspects seek safe haven

by Samantha Mochele

Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande are in a high-stakes legal battle to avoid extradition to South Africa. The brothers, who are suspected of being involved in the 2023 murders of South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his former manager Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, were arrested in February, following the arrest of their co-accused in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to ZiMoja, Siyabonga and Malusi allegedly hid in Eswatini when they were arrested. Their legal counsel argues that their lives would be in grave danger if they were returned to South Africa. The brothers appeared in the Manzini Magistrates Court to contest the extradition order, with their defence team emphasising the serious threats to their client’s safety.

SABC News reported that Siyabonga and Malusi left the country citing concerns for their safety due to past violence involving rival taxi associations, which they claim resulted in family members being killed. They also allege collusion between some police officers and these rival taxi bosses. Their legal representative, Advocate Tsotsi Mabila, argues that Malusi was in school and later hospitalised at the time of AKA and Tibz’s deaths.

Meanwhile, Zimoja reports that the legal team criticised the South African state for not addressing the safety concerns raised by the defence. “We don’t deny the allegations brought against my clients,” the lawyer added, “but the state has not addressed the critical issue of their safety.”

WATCH: Newzroom Africa posted a video on X featuring the legal counsel for the Ndimande brothers arguing why their case should not be returned to South Africa.

In the comments, users had varied reactions to the extradition issue. One user remarked, “Danger from whom? They should have considered the risks when they endangered and took AKA’s and Tibz’s lives. They made their choices; now they must face the consequences.”
Another user commented: “All in all, this counsel is arguing that there is collusion between the state, SAPS and unknown persons to kill these alleged murderers if they are brought to SA to face the case of their alleged murder of AKA.”
Also see: ‘I miss you dearly masekind’- Princ Kaybee’s tribute to AKA