State to support temporary prison transfer bid for AKA murder accused

THE State has agreed to assist the defence in its efforts to have the seven men accused of murdering South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane temporarily transferred back to Westville Prison for consultation purposes.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

The accused — Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Mkhwanazi, and brothers Malusi and Siyabonga Ndimande — were moved from Westville Prison to eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in December 2025.

The transfer took place shortly after the Ndimande brothers were extradited from Eswatini to South Africa.

Since then, the defence has complained that strict restrictions at the maximum-security facility have made it difficult to properly consult with their clients.

The inability to conduct adequate consultations is one of the reasons why the trial of the two friends who were gunned down on Florida Road in Durban in February 2023 will no longer commence on July 20 as initially planned.

This was revealed during a pre-trial conference in the Durban High Court yesterday before Judge President Thoba Poyo-Dlwati.