More arrests possible in AKA, Tibz murder as case adjourned to November

More suspects may be charged for the murders of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, chef and author Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, at the Wish restaurant on Durban's trendy Florida Road in February last year.

This emerged in the Durban magistrate's court on Thursday when the five men charged with the murders made a brief appearance. 

Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, 35, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, 21, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, 36, and Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, 29, have to wait until November 29 to return to court after they were refused bail in May.

The state indicated more arrests are pending.

Prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba said there had been developments in the case after the last court hearing, which include judgment in an Eswatini court on the extradition of two siblings set down for August 16.

Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande were arrested in Mbabane earlier this year and have been in police custody. 

Prosecutor Macebo Nxumalo told the court there was no reason to keep the suspects in Eswatini in light of an application to extradite them to SA. 

“The NDPP in KwaZulu-Natal revealed there is video footage of accused No 2 shooting and cellphone records. There is sufficient evidence that could have the applicants put on trial in SA. Murder is a crime in SA and Eswatini. We are asking that they be sent home, subject to compliance. A country is allowed to send (them) back home. The suspects are not facing any charges in Eswatini,” Nxumalo said.

However their legal team said they are not happy with the extradition application, citing safety of their clients as their main concern. They maintain the brothers fled South Africa due to taxi violence. 

Gcaba said more people had also been approached for warning statements.

“Financial investigations are continuing and based on what we uncover we might have more arrests,” said Gcaba.

Sibusiso Dlamini, who represents Mkhwanazi and Myeza, asked the court for the date to be marked final.

Magistrate Vincent Hlatshwayo said: “By agreement between the state and the defence investigations need to be finalised including all financials. There is also possible addition of outstanding accused.”

In May Hlatshwayo said there was overwhelming evidence against the five, especially Gwabeni.

It emerged during their bail applications that R800,000 was paid into Gwabeni's bank account a day after AKA and Motsoane were murdered. Gwabeni then transferred R665,000 to the other accused and the two brothers in Eswatini, but excluded Myeza.

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