Sixteen months after the shocking murder of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane on Durban’s Florida Road, their case returns to the Durban High Court on Thursday, 12 June for a pre-trial conference.
Five accused men—Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande—face multiple charges, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The double murder, described by prosecutors as a “coordinated hit,” was caught on CCTV outside Wish Restaurant on 10 February 2023, sparking national outrage.
Former senior KZN prosecutor Advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa will lead the defence team in a strategic move to unify representation.
Two suspects, Myeza and Lindani Ndimande, are also linked to a separate murder and kidnapping case involving a Durban taxi boss and will appear for a pre-trial hearing the same day.
Meanwhile, extradition delays continue for Siyabonga Gezani and Malusi Dave Ndimande, held in eSwatini, further slowing the case.
Thursday’s hearing is expected to address key procedural matters, including defence readiness, bail status, extradition updates, and the state’s final witness and evidence lists.
The case is viewed as a test of South Africa’s justice system in handling high-profile murders. As public frustration grows over delays, many fear justice may once again be denied—echoing concerns seen in the long-running Senzo Meyiwa trial.
Despite the slow pace, the legacies of AKA and Tibz live on in tributes, hashtags, and murals, as fans continue to demand accountability and closure.
