Ndimande brothers abandoned their bail application during a hearing at the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday morning.
Image: File
Two men accused of the 2023 murders of South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his friend, chef Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane, have abandoned their bid for bail in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Malusi Dave and Siyabonga Gezani, part of the group known as the Ndimande brothers, withdrew their bail application during proceedings on Friday. The pair were extradited from eSwatini in 2025 and face charges linked to the fatal shooting on Florida Road in Durban in February 2023.
Their instructing attorney, Sibusiso Dlamini, told the court: “The record will reflect that on the last occasion the accused had intended to apply for bail. I have since received instructions that they are now abandoning their bail.”
The development comes as the defence team expands, with Advocate Bonga Zulu joining the case. Advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa remains on record as part of the legal team.
Senior State prosecutor, Advocate Elvis Gcweka, requested a postponement to April 17 to allow for the accused to be served with indictments. This will enable them to join five co-accused — Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande — in the Durban High Court.
Magistrate Ashwin Singh granted the postponement and confirmed with the accused that they had abandoned their bail application.
In earlier proceedings in March, Dlamini had sought a court order for the brothers to be held at Westville Prison for two weeks to allow for improved consultation, citing limitations at Ebongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility, where they are currently detained.
Gcweka told the court the State was unaware of the reasons for their placement at the super-maximum facility and suggested that Correctional Services officials be called to explain both the transfer and the reported consultation constraints.
The issue prompted a last-minute shift at the time, with the accused instructing Dlamini that they intended to proceed with a bail application, a move they have now reversed.