DURBAN - The trial date in the case of seven men accused in the murders of rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and his friend, Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane has been hit with a delay.
For the very first time, all accused were in the dock together on Thursday at the Durban High Court for a pre-trial conference as the case moves closer to trial.
While trial was initially set down for 20 July, it is now expected to begin from 5 October to 8 November.
The state said at least 45 witnesses will be called to the stand to testify.
The matter will return to court on 13 August for the continuation of the pre-trial conference.
In April, brothers Malusi Ndimande and Siyabonga Ndimande were formally added to the high-profile murder case after they were extradited from eSwatini last November following a lengthy legal battle. That's after they abandoned their application to challenge their extradition.
All seven are accused of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, as well as firearms and ammunition-related charges linked to the killing of the pair.
Forbes and Motsoane were shot and killed in Durban’s popular Florida Road in February 2023.