KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said more arrests are expected in connection with the murders of Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
AKA and Tibz were gunned down while exiting the Wish Restaurant in Florida Road in February 2023.
Mkhwanazi was speaking at a briefing at the police headquarters in Durban on Tuesday regarding policing activities from 1 August 2024 to date.
During the briefing, Mkhwanazi said while he did not want to talk much about the ongoing investigations on the ‘AKA’ and ‘Tibz’ matter, which is before the courts, the picture that is unfolding behind the scenes as police investigate further is interesting.
“We are working closely with the National Prosecution Authority to ensure that all leads are followed. More arrests are expected, and no stone will be left unturned, and no one will be spared if they are found to have been involved in the two murders that shone the spotlight on our province,” he said.
IOL reported last week that to date, police have arrested Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, five counts of attempted murder, and money laundering. The men remain in custody.
Two more accused, Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande, 29, and Malusi Dave Ndimande, 28, were arrested in eSwatini. The men continue to fight against their extradition.
The Mercury’s sister publication, The Sunday Tribune, reported that the State’s case in rapper AKA’s murder matter could hit rocky ground if the surrender of two further accused, who were supposed to be extradited from eSwatini and join this week’s proceedings in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, is not secured.
The report said according to the surrender order issued by eSwatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, the Ndimande brothers, who are both of KwaMbonambi, ought to have been successfully brought back to South Africa by Friday, November 29.
Brothers' legal team appealed Magistrate DV Khumalo's extradition decision a day after Dlamini approved the surrender order. The eSwatini High Court heard an urgent application last week from their Director of Public Prosecutions opposing an appeal within 45 days of a surrender order. The presiding Judge is yet to hand a ruling.
The report stated that if that judgement is made early this week and the outcome is in favour of the eSwatini DPP, it is possible that the siblings could join their co-accused in the Durban dock on Friday.