By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
The South African government is yet to file an application to extradite the two suspects arrested in connection to the murders of Kiernan “Aka” Forbes and his friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
The brothers Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande appeared before the Manzini Magistrate’s Court in eSwatini on Tuesday morning.
They were arrested in Mbabane three weeks ago.
The pair is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.
During the previous court appearance, State Prosecutor Macebo Nxumalo revealed that South Africa had not yet submitted the official extradition application within the 30-day deadline.
The court seized four cellphones belonging to the brothers. The cellphones are believed to contain details regarding hit on Forbes and Motsoane.
The State has since requested that the cellphones be handed over to the eSwatini police who will then hand it over to the South African Police Service (SAPS). It further argued that this would help in SAPS’s investigation.
Magistrate David Khumalo says the cell phones seized from them will remain in eSwatini.
Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down on Florida Road in Durban in February 2023. The other five suspects are expected back in a Durban court on Thursday.
The brothers will remain in custody and the case has been postponed to the 20th of March.
The five other suspects linked to Forbes and Motsoane’s murder are set to apply for bail as of Thursday. The five appeared in court last week to prove that they are eligible to apply for bail. During their first court appearance, 2 more charges of money laundering were added to their charge sheet, bringing their total number of charges to 19.