The Durban Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to five individuals accused in the murders of South African celebrities Kiernan ‘AKA‘ Forbes and Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
Court denies bail for AKA and Tibz murder accused
The court’s decision followed arguments that releasing the suspects would not be in the interest of justice.
The State argued that the accused have a history of violence and could pose a risk to the safety of state witnesses.
These concerns were compounded by ongoing investigations that suggest the murders were premeditated, involving detailed planning and significant financial transactions linked to the accused.
The suspects, Lindukuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Ndimande, will remain in custody for the duration of the murder trial.
What happens next?
Following the bail denial, the case will continue to move through the judicial process, with the next court date yet to be scheduled.
The suspects will remain in custody until their trial, during which the court will examine the evidence gathered by the police and presented by the prosecution.
This includes cellphone and banking records, which allegedly link the suspects to the scene and transactions made shortly after the murders.
The upcoming trial phases will involve further testimonies, cross-examinations, and presentation of forensic evidence that could provide more clarity about the events leading to the deaths of AKA and Tibz.
What we know about the suspects in AKA and Tibz murders
The suspects are facing serious charges in relation to the murders.
Some of the accused have pending cases, which adds more weight to the complexity of their profiles.
Investigations have pointed to a transaction of R803,458, allegedly paid to one of the accused for unverified services just after the murders, which the prosecution points to as a motive linked to the crime.
The defence, however, contests the strength of the State’s case, arguing that the financial transactions were for legitimate business purposes and that physical evidence placing the suspects at the crime scene is questionable.
Two more suspects, the Ndimande brothers, appeared at an Eswatini court, on Tuesday, where the matter of their extradition was postponed to 15 June 2024.