One of the accused in the murders of Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, said in his bail application that the investigation officer has not provided objective evidence that warrants refusal for bail. Gwabeni and another accused, Lindokuhle Ndimande, were back in the Durban Magistrate's Court today to re-apply for bail based on new facts. The two and their three co-accused were denied bail in May last year.

HE SAYS HIS KIDS NEED HIM

The court heard new circumstances from Gwabeni, who claims his family has suffered financial distress since his arrest. In an affidavit read out by his lawyer, Advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa, Gwabeni said after the bail proceedings last year, his child's school sent him a breach of contract letter and demanded R100,000 be paid. "My other child's school also sent me an arrears letter after fees were unpaid. I want to be released so that I can earn an income and provide for my family," Gwabeni said in the affidavit. He added that he respectfully draws the attention of the court, wherein he explained, "After the refusal of bail, contrary to the state's stance during the initial bail application, the extradition of the two Ndimande brothers to be joining this matter will be sooner rather than later. In a nutshell, the extradition process has not been finalised due to the complexities and intricacies involved, yet I remain behind bars, delayed." However, the state said they've secured CCTV footage from King Shaka International Airport as new evidence in the matter. "The applicant, Gwabeni, was seen tailing Mr. Forbes from a short distance at the King Shaka International Airport. He was wearing navy blue shorts, a long-sleeved black and white t-shirt, and Gucci shoes," said the state when arguing why the accused should not be granted bail.

JUDGMENT RESERVED

Magistrate Vincent Hlatshwayo reserved judgment in the matter until next week Wednesday. AKA and Tibz were brutally murdered outside WISH, a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban, on 10 February 2023. Seven suspects were arrested in connection with their murders: Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Ndimande were arrested in Mzansi, while Siyabonga Ndimande and Malusi Ndimande were arrested in Eswatini. Two of the Ndimande brothers are in eSwatini awaiting court processes for their extradition, whilst the five suspects, who were arrested in South Africa, have made several court appearances but denied bail. They face 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.