The accused - Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande. Picture: Se-Anne Rall, Independent Media
FIVE men implicated in the murder of South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have been denied bail.
Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
AKA was gunned down at close range outside the Wish restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road on February 10, 2023. Tibz was fatally wounded in the crossfire.
The suspects were arrested following an intense investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS). After months of speculation, in February this year, police top brass confirmed that seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the murders.
At the time, KwaZulu-Natal SAPS commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi explained that the first suspect was arrested in April last year. The police at the time dismissed the reports, but they have since explained that they did not want to compromise their investigation.
Meanwhile, two more suspects, Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, who were arrested in Eswatini in connection with the murders, remain in custody.
The brothers, who are also related to Lindani and Lindokuhle Ndimande, appeared in the Manzini Magistrate’s Court in Eswatini on Tuesday. The matter has been remanded to June 14 for arguments. An additional affidavit has been filed by the National Director of Public Prosecutions for the case to be treated with urgency.