The Manzini Magistrates Court in eSwatini has granted the application to extradite the two brothers who are accused of the murders of Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane back to South Africa. Brothers Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande were arrested in eSwatini last year and charged with the murders of the two celebrity friends. 

ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO EXTRADITED 

Delivering his verdict earlier today, principal Magistrate David Khumalo said the key principle involved in such cases is that there must be sufficient reason to place respondents on trial if the court is to allow the extradition. "The evidence disclosed by the applicants as linking the respondents in the commission of the offence constitutes sufficient reason to extradite. By the evidence disclosed, I mean cellphone records, tracker reports, and video footage," Khumalo said.

NO MORE THREAT TO THEIR LIVES

Khumalo also said that the court has taken into account safety concerns raised by the respondents about their safety. The brothers defence claimed in their last court appearance that they feared for their safety as they had been threatened by the police. For that reason, they asked not to be extradited back to SA. However, Khumalo said it cannot be all members of SAPS, but individual officers who allegedly threatened them. "The affidavits submitted to the court show that these threats are not entrenched in the entire police institution. Now one of the heads informed the court that he carried out investigations as soon as he heard the court mention the threats, and a special unit was set up for purposes of this investigation. We are also assured that once the investigation is complete, the culprits will be brought to book. All the police heads, including those of Correctional Services, have assured us that the respondents will be given maximum security in their transmission to South Africa. This means that the fears of the respondents have been addressed. This court has added an additional safety measure to order the South African human rights commission to ensure respect, safety, and protection of the rights of the respondents as they go back to their country. Finally, the application to extradite is granted," Khumalo added,

FURTHER INVESTIGATION 

The two brothers co-accused Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande recently appeared at the Durban Magistrates Court, where Magistrate Vincent Hlatshwayo allowed the state's plea to postpone the matter to the 29th of November to complete the going investigations. The accused are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and five counts of attempted murder. Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi, Ndimande, Myeza, and Gwabeni have additional charges of money laundering (acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities).