By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Ndimande brothers, Siyabonga and Malusi have landed in South Africa after they were extradited from eSwatini after months of legal resistance.
They were wanted in South Africa for a string of cases, including the murder of musician Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.
Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down at the now defunct Wish restaurant in Florida Road in February 2023.
Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30 Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, 35, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, 21, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, 36, and Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, 29, were arrested in connection with the deaths.
For several months, the brothers fought their extradition, but they withdrew their appeal in October, which cleared the way for their return.
Their legal battles in Eswatini had delayed progress in the case, with local authorities confirming that South Africa’s extradition request was properly lodged and approved under SADC protocols.
Addressing journalists at King Shaka International Airport on Tuesday, SAPS spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said police would ensure the brothers remain behind bars.
“I don’t think they should fear for their safety. It is us who must ensure that they stay behind bars, where they don’t kill more people in South Africa,” said Mathe.
She said SAPS would formally charge the brothers in three separate cases where they have been positively linked.
“There could be other cases, investigations are still ongoing. It is them that we must make sure that they don’t ever see daylight. We must make sure they remain behind bars, and they get to be convicted for the crimes that they have committed.
“We strongly believe one of the two brothers is the one that actually pulled the trigger that killed AKA. We do have the firearm that killed AKA, but we are still searching for the firearm that killed Tibz. So we have overwhelming evidence that places them on the crime scene of all these cases. It is us, the communities that must fear them, not them fearing for their lives.”
Mathe said the SAPS regards the Ndimande brothers as “contract killers, professional hitmen and dangerous and callous criminals.”
Earlier, Mathe confirmed that a high-risk Interpol team was travelling to Eswatini to collect the brothers.
“I can confirm that a high-risk team has left South Africa, they are on their way to the Kingdom Mswati International Airport where they will be meeting officers from Interpol Eswatini where the handing over will then take place between Interpol South Africa, our officers, and Interpol Mbabane,” said Mathe.
“They will then escort the two brothers. Only upon arrival at the King Shaka International Airport will our Interpol officers then hand over to the lead investigator in this case, who will then execute a J50 warrant of arrest.”
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said in the interim, the state and the defence would iron out pending or outstanding issues.