South Africa is yet to file an application for extradition of the two brothers detained in eSwatini in connection with the murder of Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.

On the 27th of February 2024, Kwazulu Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi announced that 6 suspects were in police custody for the murder of the rapper and Mostoane. A seventh suspect was later arrested. Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down outside a popular restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road in February 2023.

“We have the coordinator, who is the master of everything. We have two shooters that we all saw on social media. We have two spotters. One of the spotters was inside the restaurant observing Mr Forbes and his friends, as well as the organiser of firearms and vehicles used as getaways,” added Mkhwanazi

Two of the suspects, who are brothers, were detained in eSwatini and are yet to be extradited to South Africa to stand trial for the murder.

The pair, Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande were detained nearly three weeks ago and appeared in the Manzini Magistrate’s Court in eSwatini on Tuesday. During their court appearance, Magistrate David Khumalo heard that eSwatini authorities are yet to receive an application from the South African National Prosecuting Authority.

During their first court appearance last week, the court seized four cellphones belonging to the brothers. The cellphones are believed to contain details regarding hit on Forbes and Motsoane.

The State has since requested that the cellphones be handed over to the eSwatini police who will then hand it over to the South African Police Service (SAPS). It further argued that this would help in SAPS’s investigation.

Magistrate Khumalo decided against this decision, stating that a decision can only be made about the cellphones once the extradition application is received.

The brothers will remain in custody and the case has been postponed to the 20th of March.

5 suspects detained in South Africa

The five other suspects linked to Forbes and Motsoane’s murder are set to apply for bail as of Thursday. The five appeared in court last week to prove that they are eligible to apply for bail. During their first court appearance, 2 more charges of money laundering were added to their charge sheet, bringing their total number of charges to 19.

READ MORE: 7th suspect arrested in connection with AKA’s murder