Keenan “aka” Forbes. (Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images)
- The two brothers allegedly involved in the murders of Keenan “AKA” Forbes and his former manager Thebelo “Tibbs” Motsoane have not yet been brought to South Africa to face charges.
- This comes after local authorities failed to submit an extradition application for the brothers.
- The court also heard that the issue of “detention” of the brothers' mobile phones will only be heard if extradition papers are filed.
The Ndimande brothers are accused of being involved in a plot to assassinate rapper Keenan “AKA” Forbes and his former manager Thebelo “Tibbs” Motsoane, but they have yet to be sent home to face charges. Not yet.
Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande were seen nervously laughing each other on TV cameras during their appearance at the Manzini Magistrates' Court in Eswatini.
Justice David Khumalo heard that the Eswatini authorities had not yet received an application from the South African authorities.
Asked for comment on the delay, National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Kara said she would seek comment from KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions Elaine Harrison.
Her responses will be added as they are received.
Mr Khumalo heard in court that the state was seeking to issue a final order regarding the detention and seizure of the mobile phones the brothers had when they were arrested in Mbabane's Zone 4.
But defense lawyer Sibesonke Ngwenya said there was no reason to issue a final order.
He likened the call by the nation to “putting the cart before the horse.”
“I am not aware of the content of the application.” [from the South African government]. The state is preempting the content of the application. ”
Mr Khumalo agreed, saying there would be no prejudice if the court decided on the matter after a formal extradition application was filed.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on March 20th.
At the Ndimande brothers' previous court appearance, the state government said they were part of a group of seven men who organized Forbes' murder and followed him from Durban's King Shaka International Airport to Wish restaurant on Florida Road in the city. He later claimed that his brother was there. He was shot dead along with Motsoane.
