In a major breakthrough for South African authorities, brothers Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi David Ndimande – prime suspects in the brazen 2023 assassinations of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his close friend, chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane – have been extradited from Eswatini and arrived in South Africa on Tuesday morning.
The siblings, often referred to as “Nxele” and “Mjay,” landed at King Shaka International Airport under heavy security, their hands and legs shackled as they were escorted from a private jet. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the handover, describing it as a “crucial moment” in the investigation. “We believe one of the brothers may have pulled the trigger on AKA,” Mathe told reporters, adding that the pair would be formally arrested upon arrival and processed at the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
The extradition follows a protracted legal battle that began with the brothers’ arrest in Mbabane, Eswatini, on 24 February 2024, after a cross-border manhunt involving SAPS and Interpol. Initially approved by the Manzini Magistrate’s Court in August 2024, the process hit roadblocks when the Ndimandes appealed, citing fears for their safety in South Africa. They withdrew the appeal on 29 October 2025, paving the way for Eswatini’s High Court to issue the final surrender order last week.