5 AKA, Tibz murder accused in court, 2 await extradition

Five men appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday February 29 in connection with the murder of Kiernan Jarred Forbes (AKA) and his friend Tebello (Tibz) Motsoane.

The two other suspects, arrested on Saturday February 24, are still awaiting the finalisation of their extradition from the Kingdom on Eswatini.

The arrests of the men were made following a collaboration between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, provincial spokesperson for the NPA confirmed that the five men appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.

“The men Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, 35, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, 21, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, 36, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande, 29, appeared on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder (Forbes), murder (Motsoane), unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and five counts of attempted murder,” said Ms Ramkisson- Kara.

On February 10, 2023, AKA and Mr Motsoane, were shot and killed outside the popular Wish Restaurant in Florida Road, just outside the Durban CBD. A man had walked up to AKA, who was talking to his friends, and shot him in the back of the head. Mr Motsoane was also shot dead on the scene.

The matter has been postponed to Wednesday March 6 for bail verification and the men will remain in custody in the interim, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.

Speaking to the media in court, Tony Forbes, AKA’s father, said he was disappointed that the five accused were “hiding behind masks and hoodies”. While the police are confident they “got their men”, Mr Forbes said he believed the mastermind is still out there.

“The suspects concealed their identity. I want to see them face to face, I want to see who they are. I don’t want them hiding behind masks and hoodies,” said Mr Forbes. “I am cautiously optimistic about the arrests, my gut feeling is that the mastermind behind the murders is still out there.”

He added that his granddaughter, Kairo Owethu Forbes, was still struggling to come to terms with her father’s death.