AKA’s Father Expresses Relief As Suspects In His Son’s Murder Extradited From Eswatini. On Tuesday, Tony Forbes, father of the late rapper AKA, reflected on a long-awaited moment following the tragic murders of his son and friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane in February 2023, which took place on Florida Road in Durban.
Following an extensive extradition process and legal disputes in Eswatini, suspects Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande were escorted back to South Africa, secured by law enforcement, to face charges.
“I’m pleased that we’ve arrived at this day. It’s been a long time coming. But for me, I feel satisfied now that when the trial starts that all seven will be on trial. Well, I hope all seven will be on trial together. In particular, the brother who pulled the trigger,” Forbes stated.
AKA’s father mentioned that, despite the protracted timeline, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) kept him updated on the situation, preparing him for the complexities involved. “So it’s taken a long time. But for me, it’s the investigating team, along with the NPA, that has kept me abreast over the last two and a half years. The day when they called to say that they have arrested the two brothers in Eswatini, my expectations were managed by them saying it’s going to be a complicated process. So it won’t happen quickly. And today it’s happening. So I’m very pleased with that.”
The return of the Ndimande brothers followed a lengthy legal struggle in Eswatini, where their appeal processes were eventually abandoned, culminating in a formal surrender order. Prosecutors have indicated their intent to conduct a consolidated trial, citing connections among all accused individuals based on the evidence related to that night.
For the Forbes family and a vast network of supporters, the extradition does not rectify their loss but signifies a pivotal moment in a mourning process that has persisted for nearly three years. The approaching court hearings will see attorneys, investigators, and the NPA work to build a case that will determine not just who fired the gun but also if there were any directives leading to the fatal ambush on that crowded street in Durban.
