The five men arrested in connection with the murders of award winning rapper Kiernan Jared Forbes (AKA) an chef Tebello (Tibz) Motsoane appeared at the Durban Magistrate Court on Thursday March 14.
It was the third appearance of the five accused – Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30, Lindani Ndimande, 35, Siyanda Myeza, 21, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, 36 and Lindokuhle Ndimande, 29.
Legal representatives for Mr Mkhwanazi and Mr Myeza told the court they believed the case against their clients was weak and that they intended pleading not guilty. Both Mr Mkhwanazi and Mr Myeza were arrested in February. Mr Mkhwanazi said in court that he wanted to be with his pregnant wife and support her during the pregnancy as well as assist his family financially.
Advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa read out Mr Mkhwanazi’s affidavit to the court on Thursday.
“Mr Mkhwanazi was arrested on December 12, 2023, for the murder of William Kunene. He claimed that police took him from Mtubatuba to Durban where they assaulted him and demanded he confess to AKA’s murder. In his affidavit, Mr Mkhwanazi said he was released on R5 000 bail in connection with Mr Kunene’s murder, where he is accused of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition,” said Mr Mlotshwa.
Mr Mlotshwa added that his client has no other pending cases against him.
He said Mr Mkhwanazi intends to plead not guilty to the charges if the matter proceeds to trial.
Advocate Yolanda Gielink representing Mr Myeza, said her client has two pending cases – involving charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition at the Umlazi District Court and Durban Magistrate’s Court.
The case was adjourned early due to water cuts, and will resume next week.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the NPA’s efforts to extradite two men arrested in the Kingdom of Eswatini in connection with the murder are formally under way. Brothers, Mr Siyabonga and Mr Malusi Ndimande were detained in Eswatini last month
“With regards to the extradition process, the NPA can confirm that the process is under way. The National Director of Public Prosecutions has signed the relevant documentation, and it has been forwarded to the Department of Justice, which is the central authority figure in the process,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
The brothers face charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
