Lynn Forbes — mother of the late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes — made an emotional and wrenching appearance in court on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, where she came face-to-face with the two men accused of killing her son and his friend.
What happened in court
For the first time since the extradition of the suspects, Lynn quietly took a seat in the public gallery as brothers Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande entered the dock at the Durban Magistrate’s Court, under heavy guard.
The Ndimande brothers — extradited from Eswatini earlier this month after withdrawing their appeal against extradition — face a slew of charges: murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, money laundering and conspiracy to commit murder.
One of the brothers is accused of being the “trigger-puller” in the fatal shooting that claimed the lives of AKA and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane — shot outside a Durban restaurant on February 10, 2023.
Lynn’s emotional journey
Seen watching the accused intently — sometimes glancing directly at them — Lynn held back tears as the proceedings unfolded; her presence was a stark reminder of the lives torn apart by the tragedy.
She later expressed gratitude to the prosecution team, saying she came not for closure — but for her own healing. “This is for both boys,” she said, referring to her son and his friend. “I’m not here for closure, this is part of my healing.”
After the hearing, Lynn shook hands with the lead State prosecutor, thanking them for the work done so far and acknowledging the many hours spent chasing justice.
What the court hearing achieved — and what’s next
At Tuesday’s session, the defence for the Ndimande brothers asked for more time, citing a need for extradition documents and proper consultations with their clients. The case was postponed to 9 January 2026.
The Durban court will eventually link their case to that of five other co-accused, bringing all suspects into one consolidated trial scheduled for next year.
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that the extradition and handover operation from Eswatini was successful, following cooperation between local and international law enforcement and the national prosecution authority.
Why this moment matters
The sight of a grieving mother confronting the alleged killers in court — so many months after the tragedy — is a deeply human moment that reminds the public this case is about far more than headlines.
The successful extradition from Eswatini signals effective cross-border law enforcement cooperation, a crucial component in prosecuting transnational crime.
The consolidation of all suspects into a single trial may finally open the door to full accountability — and potentially expose a broader criminal network behind the murders.
For Lynn Forbes, today was not about finality — but about standing firm, showing up, and witnessing justice begin to take shape. For her, and many who mourn along with her, that may be the first step toward healing.
