AKA murder: No extradition for Ndimande brothers as SA authorities yet to submit documents to Eswatini

Kiernan “AKA” Forbes. (Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images)

• Two brothers who were allegedly involved in the murder of Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his former manager, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, cannot not yet be brought to South Africa to answer for their alleged crimes.
• This after local authorities failed to submit an application to have the brothers extradited.
• The court also heard that the issue of the “detention” of the brothers’ cellphones would only be heard when extradition papers are filed.

The Ndimande brothers, who are accused of being part of the plot to assassinate rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his former manager, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, cannot yet be brought back to the country to answer for their alleged crimes.

Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande were seen nervously giggling to one another whenever television cameras were on them while they appeared in the Manzini Magistrate’s Court in Eswatini.

Magistrate David Khumalo heard that Eswatini authorities had not yet received an application from their South African counterparts.

When asked to comment on the delay, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Kara said she would acquire comment from KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions Elaine Harrison.

Her response will be added once received.

In court, Khumalo heard that the State was seeking the issuing of a final order for the detention and seizure of phones that were in the brothers’ possession when they were arrested at Zone 4 in Mbabane.

However, defence lawyer Sivesonke Ngwenya said there was no reason for a final order.

He likened the call by the State to “putting the cart before the horse”.

“We are not aware of the contents of the application [from the South African government]. The State is pre-empting the contents of the application.”

Khumalo agreed, saying there would be no prejudice if the court decides on the issue once an official application for extradition is submitted.

The matter is set to return to court on 20 March.

At the Ndimande brothers’ previous court appearance, the State alleged that they were part of a gang of seven men who organised Forbes’ murder and followed him from King Shaka International Airport in Durban to Wish restaurant along the city’s Florida Road, where he was later shot dead alongside Motsoane.