Appeal Withdrawn, Path Cleared
In a significant legal development, two of the men accused in the high-profile murders of South African rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes) and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have withdrawn their appeal in neighbouring Eswatini, effectively clearing the way for their handover to South African authorities.
Who Are the Accused?
The suspects, brothers Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande, were arrested in Eswatini on 24 February 2024. They are wanted in South Africa in connection with the murders of AKA and Tibz, which took place in Durban in February 2023.
Legal Battle That Lasted Over A Year
Originally, the Manzini Magistrate’s Court granted South Africa’s request for extradition in August 2024. The Ndimande brothers subsequently filed appeals, raising procedural and personal safety concerns. The South African prosecution lodged additional evidence earlier this year to bolster the extradition request. In late October 2025, the brothers formally dropped their appeal without publicly stating why.
What This Means For The Case
With the appeal withdrawn, the extradition process is expected to proceed. Once back in South Africa, the Ndimande brothers will join five other accused in the same case. Their return marks a decisive step in one of South Africa’s most closely watched celebrity murder investigations.
Cultural Context And Public Resonance
The murders of AKA and Tibz shocked both the entertainment world and the public in South Africa. AKA was a figure who bridged global hip-hop and local identity. The case has highlighted concerns about crime, celebrity vulnerability, and cross-border justice in Southern Africa. On social media, many South Africans have expressed a mix of relief and frustration. Relief that justice seems closer and frustration at how long it has taken. Some commentators note that extradition cases often suffer from delays when legal systems and international requests collide.
A Fresh Look At What’s Behind The Headlines
This isn’t just another extradition story. It shows how borderless organised crime can be and how justice systems must cooperate across jurisdictions. It also raises questions about how the defence may still use the extradition process as a tactic once the trial in South Africa begins. While the appeal is gone, the key legal struggles could still shift to the courtroom proper rather than the extradition docket.
As South Africans follow the next steps, the takeaway is clear: even high-profile investigations can stall for years, and the turning point often lies in legal manoeuvres rather than crime-scene evidence. For those watching, this extradition signals the case is moving from the “will they return” phase into the “will they stand trial” phase.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: Modern Ghana
