The two brothers accused of orchestrating the murders of popular rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have been returned to South Africa following their extradition from Eswatini.
Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, who were arrested in Mbabane in February, were handed over to South African authorities on Tuesday after months of legal proceedings in the neighbouring country.
Their arrival at King Shaka International Airport in Durban took place under tight security in an operation coordinated by Interpol and the South African Police Service. The brothers were immediately placed in police custody upon landing.
They are expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court to face several charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The extradition marks a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the double murder that shocked the nation in February 2023, when Forbes and Motsoane were shot outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban. Police have described the attack as a carefully planned hit.
The Ndimande brothers had opposed their extradition for several months before withdrawing their appeal in October, allowing the process to go ahead. Authorities in Eswatini confirmed that the extradition was completed in accordance with SADC legal protocols.
Interpol officers from South Africa travelled to Eswatini earlier this week to finalise the handover in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies.
With their return, the number of suspects in custody has now risen to seven. Police have identified the brothers as central figures in planning and coordinating the fatal shooting of the rapper and his friend.
They are also linked to two other criminal cases in KwaZulu Natal, including the 2022 murder of a taxi boss in Amanzimtoti and the attempted murder of a taxi owner’s wife. Investigators believe these incidents are connected to a broader criminal network operating between South Africa and Eswatini.
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