The long-awaited trial of five men accused of orchestrating the brutal killings of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane has officially been scheduled by the Durban High Court, nearly three years after the shocking February 2023 double murder rocked South Africa.
The trial will unfold over two sessions next year: July 20 to August 21, and October 5 to November 6, 2026, following a pre-trial conference on June 19, 2026.
The accused — Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande — face 11 serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the state, the murder was a meticulously planned hit, with the group allegedly receiving an R800,000 payout for executing AKA outside Wish Restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road. Tibz, who was with him at the time, was also gunned down in the ambush.
The prosecution plans to call 45 witnesses, backed by CCTV footage, cellphone data, and eyewitness testimony to establish the timeline and conspiracy behind the high-profile assassination.
However, the case has already faced several delays, including disputes over documentation and incomplete witness lists. Judge Jacqueline Henriques has criticised the slow progress of the pre-trial phase, urging all parties to ensure the trial proceeds without further disruption.
Meanwhile, two additional suspects remain in custody in Eswatini, where their extradition is still under appeal. While efforts to bring them to South Africa continue, the court has confirmed the trial will move forward with the five accused currently in custody.
The high-profile murders sent shockwaves across the country, triggering widespread mourning and calls for justice from fans, the entertainment industry, and the public. With the trial set for 2026, many hope it will finally bring answers — and closure — to one of South Africa’s most tragic celebrity crime stories.
