Tony Forbes, father of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, has called for justice and demanded to know who commissioned the attack that killed his son and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane in Durban in 2023. The two brothers accused of carrying out the murders, Siyabonga Ndimande and Malusi Ndimande, were extradited from Eswatini and arrived at King Shaka International Airport in KwaZulu Natal on Tuesday to face trial.
Speaking shortly after the suspects arrived, Forbes said if he had the opportunity to speak with them, he would ask who was behind the killings. “I’ve not walked around for the last two and a half years hating these people. I’ve forgiven them. I want to see their faces in court. The question I would ask is who commissioned this? Where did it start? Who’s behind this? Those are the questions that are most relevant for me,” he said.
The murders shocked the nation when Forbes and Motsoane were shot outside a Durban night club in February 2023. A video showing how the two were ambushed went viral, drawing widespread attention to the case. The attacks were believed to be targeted hits, prompting a multi-agency investigation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
As the Ndimande brothers walked to be processed at the airport, one was seen smiling, a gesture that Forbes said showed they had no understanding of the magnitude of the crime. “It’s been a long time coming, but for me, I feel satisfied now that when the trial starts, seven will be on trial. I hope all seven will be on trial together, particularly the brother that pulled the trigger. It’s taken a long time, but the investigating team and the NPA have been committed and thorough,” Forbes said.
Forbes praised the work of law enforcement and the prosecuting team. He highlighted the dedication of KZN SAPS Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and advocate Elaine Harrison but also acknowledged the wider team. “I have a lot of respect for how they’ve conducted this investigation. They left no stone unturned and kept their promises. I applaud the team,” he said.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that after processing at King Shaka International Airport, the brothers would be transported to Durban Central Police Station before appearing in court. She said the suspects face more than 20 charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. “We are confident that we have the right seven suspects. All precautions have been taken. The suspects must reveal who the mastermind is,” said Mathe.
Mathe explained that the extradition was coordinated by a team of South African officers working with Interpol and the Eswatini Royal Police. A high-risk team had departed for Eswatini earlier in the day to collect the suspects. Once in South Africa, the lead investigator executed a J50 warrant of arrest covering multiple charges related to the murders and other violent crimes.
The extradition marks a major step in the investigation into the deaths of Forbes and Motsoane. Authorities said the process will continue, and the suspects’ trial is expected to uncover the full extent of their involvement as well as the identity of the person or persons who commissioned the killings.
Forbes said while his family wants the process to move faster, he is satisfied that law enforcement has conducted a thorough investigation. “I am pleased that the team has done a thorough job and ensured that justice is being pursued carefully. I have respect for their work,” he said.
The return of the Ndimande brothers and the arrests of the other suspects bring the total number of individuals facing charges in connection with the murders to seven. Police have said that all suspects will face the full weight of the law as the case proceeds.
Forbes said he continues to hope that the trial will reveal the mastermind behind the attack. “Justice for my son and his friend is about more than the people who carried out the killing. It is about finding out who orchestrated it and ensuring that everyone responsible is held accountable,” he said.
Authorities have warned that the investigation is ongoing and that the suspects will be closely monitored while in custody. The trial will be a critical step in providing answers to the families of the victims and the wider public who have followed the case closely since the murders shocked the nation.
The extradition and upcoming court appearances demonstrate the continued commitment of South African law enforcement to pursuing justice in high-profile cases and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable under the law.
