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Slain musician AKA
The Durban Magistrate’s Court has reserved judgment in the bail application of two of the five men accused of the murder of Kiernan AKA Forbes and his friend, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
Five men, Lindukuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Ndimande were arrested in February last year for their alleged involvement in the assassination of AKA and his friend.
Ndimande filed a fresh bail application based on new facts.
Previously, they were denied bail along with the three others.
Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down outside a restaurant in Durban in February 2023.
Two other suspects, who were arrested in eSwatini, are awaiting the ruling of the court on the application for their extradition.
The delays in the extradition application of the two co-accused is delaying justice.
That’s what the Durban Magistrate’s Court heard when the legal representative Simphiwe Mlotshwa presented new evidence saying due to his incarceration, Gwabeni owes R10o 000 in school fees for one of his children.
In his affidavit, Gwabeni stated that the school fees for another child is also in arrears, whilst one of his wives had to seek therapy after the previous bail application was denied.
In an affidavit, Lindokuhle Ndimande also told the court that his family is struggling financially as his only taxi was involved in an accident and it has not been fixed due to him being behind bars.
He complained about the delays in the case asking for it to be moved to the regional court or high court.
The state opposed the bail application, saying nothing new had been presented in court as it has been heard previously.
Legal expert, Abigail Ngobene believes the issue of extradition of the two accused who were arrested in eSwatini is not strong enough as the trial can proceed in absentia.
According to multiple documents placed before the court, most of the accused were placed at the crime scene after allegedly following AKA from the King Shaka International Airport.
The alleged mastermind, Mziwethemba Gwabeni was found in possession of the witness’s statements and the state says he has refused to hand over his cellphone to the investigation team.
The court says there’s evidence that include CCTV footage, cellphone records and car tracker records that illustrates all the accused played pivotal roles in the murder.
The case has been adjourned to the 15th of January for judgment.
AKA, Tibz Murder Case | Durban Magistrate’s Court hears bail application of two accused:
