Extradition of Murder Suspects to South Africa
Two men accused of the murder of South African musician Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, Tebello “TIBZ” Motsoane, are set to be extradited to South Africa on 11 November 2025. The extradition comes after the brothers, Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande, abandoned their appeal against the order.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has confirmed that the extradition order was issued by the Kingdom of Eswatini, where the suspects are currently being held. The brothers were arrested in Mbabane and have since ceased their legal challenges, leading to the granting of the extradition order by the Acting Prime Minister of Eswatini.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development stated that the pair will be returned to South Africa to face charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. This follows a brazen attack outside a Durban restaurant in February 2023, where Forbes and Motsoane were killed.
Logistical Arrangements for Extradition
All logistical arrangements regarding the handover and collection of the suspects will be managed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) through established diplomatic and law enforcement channels. SAPS has received a surrender order and is finalizing the necessary steps to execute the extradition on 11 November 2025.
General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of SAPS, confirmed that the department is preparing for the handover. Masemola praised the cooperation of Eswatini authorities in apprehending the suspects and ensuring their return to South Africa to face the charges they are accused of.
“The SAPS remains confident that it has a water-tight case against the pair, who face 24 charges relating to three cases. These include conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of automatic firearms and ammunition, amongst a host of other charges,” the SAPS said in a statement.
Background of the Crime
The brothers were arrested in early 2024 at a rented house in Mbabane, Eswatini, following months of coordinated efforts between SAPS and Interpol. Their arrest came after a series of investigations into the murder of Forbes and Motsoane, who were gunned down while outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban on 10 February 2023.
At the time of the attack, five suspects were arrested in South Africa. The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victims, both of whom were prominent figures in the South African music scene.
Ongoing Cooperation Between Authorities
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has reported that Interpol South Africa and Interpol Eswatini are in discussions to facilitate the handover of the brothers to South African authorities. This collaboration highlights the importance of international cooperation in bringing criminals to justice.
The extradition process underscores the commitment of both South Africa and Eswatini to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those accused of serious crimes are held accountable. As the date of extradition approaches, all parties involved are working diligently to ensure a smooth and secure transfer of the suspects.