Tony Forbes, father of the late award-winning rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, has spoken out following the extradition of two key suspects linked to his son’s murder. The return of Siyabonga Gezani and Malusi David Ndimande from Eswatini to South Africa on 11 November 2025 has revived public interest and renewed questions around the unsolved aspects of the case.
The Ndimande brothers were transported under heavy security to face charges related to the shocking February 2023 murders of AKA and his close friend, celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane. Their arrival brought a mixture of relief, reflection and heightened emotion for the Forbes family—particularly Tony, who has waited more than two years for justice.
In an interview with eNCA, Tony Forbes shared his thoughts on the long-awaited extradition and the path forward. Despite the pain of losing his son, he revealed that he has worked hard to forgive those believed to be responsible. He explained that forgiveness was necessary for his own healing, even if closure remains elusive.
“I’ve not walked around for the last two and a half years hating these people. I’ve forgiven,” he said. He recalled attending their first bail hearing, not out of anger, but to look the accused in the eye and confront the reality of his son’s death.
However, Tony stressed that forgiveness does not mean abandoning the pursuit of truth. He believes the Ndimande brothers are not the masterminds behind the killing and insists that the central question remains unanswered: Who ordered the hit?
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“What we mustn’t forget is that the person who commissioned this is not in that group of seven,” he emphasised. “For me, the most important questions are: Who commissioned this? Where did it start? Who is behind this?”
Tony doubts the suspects themselves will answer these questions but hopes the renewed legal processes will bring South Africa closer to the truth. He stated firmly that he still wants justice for both AKA and Tibz and that accountability must extend beyond those who pulled the trigger.
Meanwhile, police leadership appears to share the same sentiments. Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi indicated that the extradition of the Ndimande brothers has allowed investigators to shift focus toward the deeper layers of the assassination plot. Speaking to the media, he suggested that more arrests could follow as new leads emerge.
Public reaction to developments in the case has been intense, with many expressing sympathy for the Forbes and Motsoane families and urging authorities to expedite justice. Social media discussions also reignited debates around organised crime, targeted killings, and the safety of high-profile figures in South Africa.
As the country watches the next steps unfold, Tony Forbes remains committed to seeking the full truth behind his son’s death. For him, closure will come not only from seeing the suspects prosecuted, but from finally uncovering the identity of the person who orchestrated the killing that changed his family’s lives forever.
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