A high-risk police and Interpol team departed from South Africa on Tuesday morning to execute the long-awaited surrender order for Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, the two brothers accused in the murder of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
Take custody
The multidisciplinary team – comprising police officers, Interpol officials, and two human rights observers – flew to eSwatini to formally take custody of the Ndimande brothers, who were arrested in the kingdom last year.
Their extradition follows months of legal wrangling after the eSwatini court granted South Africa’s application to have them returned to stand trial alongside five co-accused already in custody in KwaZulu-Natal.
Appeal abandoned after a year-long battle
The Ndimande brothers had fought the extradition order for over a year, but last month abandoned their appeal, clearing the way for their transfer.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Interpol eSwatini officers will hand the pair over to South African authorities at King Mswati III International Airport.
“They will not be arrested in eSwatini but will be escorted back to KwaZulu-Natal, where a warrant of arrest will be executed upon arrival in Durban,” said Mathe.
Once in South Africa, the brothers will be processed and are expected to appear before the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Background
The Ndimande brothers were detained in eSwatini in early 2024, several weeks before the arrest of five other suspects linked to the February 2023 double murder outside Wish Restaurant in Durban.
Their return marks a major step in the lengthy extradition and investigation process surrounding one of South Africa’s most high-profile murder cases.
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