Alleged gunmen in AKA murder case drop extradition appeal from Eswatini

The two alleged gunmen in the daring murder of award-winning South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane are expected to return to SA after they abandoned the appeal against extradition. 

The two friends were gunned down in February 2023 at a Durban restaurant on Florida Road.

Seven men are charged with the murders, with two in Eswatini. Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30; Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, 35; Siyanda Eddie Myeza, 21; Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, 36; and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande, 29, are scheduled for trial next July.

Siyabonga Gezani and Malusi Dave Ndimande, who are incarcerated in Eswatini have fought tooth and nail to avoid being extradited to SA since February 2024, when they were charged for the murders.

However, the State stressed that the extradition of the two brothers had no bearing on the start of the trial next year here in South Africa. 

The KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, confirmed that they have received a notice of abandonment from the Eswatini authorities in respect of the Ndimandes.

“The Eswatini authorities will handle the matter further and communicate with the South African authorities in due course,” she said. 

According to a source close to the case, there's a chance that the brothers will apply for bail once they return to the country. 

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