AKA and Tibz Murder Case Moves Closer to Trial as Seven Accused Appear in Durban High Court
Seven men remain behind bars as court sets trial dates in one of South Africa’s most closely watched murder cases
More than three years after the shocking murders of South African rap icon AKA and his close friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane sent shockwaves across the country, the criminal case against seven accused men has taken another significant step forward.
The seven men charged in connection with the high-profile killings appeared before the Durban High Court in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday as pre-trial proceedings continued in a case that has gripped South Africans since the fatal shooting in February 2023.
The accused, Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande, Malusi Dave Ndimande, Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande, are facing a series of serious charges linked to the murders.
Among the charges are conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, as well as firearm and ammunition-related offences.
The court appearance marks another milestone in the long road towards justice for the families of AKA and Tibz, whose deaths sparked an outpouring of grief across South Africa and beyond.
Extradition from Eswatini
Two of the accused, Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande, were successfully extradited from the Kingdom of Eswatini last year following legal processes that allowed South African authorities to bring them back to face trial.
Their return was seen as a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murders, which investigators believe involved careful planning and coordination.
All seven accused remain in custody.
The Night That Shocked South Africa
On the evening of 10 February 2023, award-winning rapper Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known globally as AKA, and his longtime friend and entrepreneur Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were gunned down outside a popular restaurant on Florida Road near Durban’s city centre.
The brazen shooting unfolded in a busy public area and was captured on surveillance footage that quickly spread across social media, intensifying public interest in the case.
The deaths of AKA and Tibz sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with fans, fellow artists and public figures mourning the loss of two influential South Africans whose impact extended far beyond music and business.
Trial Dates Confirmed
Following discussions on outstanding pre-trial matters, the Durban High Court postponed the case to 13 August 2026 for the finalisation of pre-trial proceedings.
The court has scheduled trial dates from 5 October to 6 November 2026.
Additional trial dates beyond November may be considered following consultations between the prosecution and defence teams, depending on the progress of proceedings.
As the case moves closer to trial, public attention remains firmly fixed on what is expected to be one of the most significant criminal trials in recent South African history.
For the families of AKA and Tibz, as well as millions of South Africans who followed their journeys, the upcoming court proceedings represent another crucial chapter in the pursuit of answers and accountability.
