JOHANNESBURG - Two brothers accused of murdering South African rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes have been extradited from Eswatini and are now in police custody.
Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande were handed over after the failure of a lengthy legal attempt to block their return.
To date at least seven people have been arrested in connection with the murders.
But how did it all unfold?
10 February 2023 - AKA, Motsoane shot dead
The renowned rapper was shot and killed in Durban. The famed hip hop star was just 35. AKA had been in eThekwini for a performance.
KwaZulu-Natal police say the multi-award winner and an unidentified man were leaving a restaurant on Florida Road when the suspects opened fire on them.
Two murder dockets are being investigated.
17 February 2023 - KZN police commissioner says SAPS still investigating AKA murder
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says they're following up on several leads in the murder of Kiernan 'AKA’ Forbes' murder.
He says police have seized cellphones belonging to certain individuals and information that could help solve the case has been downloaded.
Mkhwanazi was speaking during the release of the quarterly crime statistics in Cape Town.
18 February 2023 - AKA laid to rest
A private funeral is held for AKA. An emotional memorial on 17 February saw hundreds of fans, friends, and family members gather in Sandton, Gauteng.
Friends of the rapper paid tribute to him for his remarkable career and love for his family. His mother, Lynne Forbes, has appealed to fans to stay calm.
24 April 2023 - Forbes family wants justice
AKA's mother Lynn says she is patient with police investigations into the murder of her son and that she's receiving regular updates. Forbes says she wants justice, as do her son's legion of fans.
24 August 2023 - KZN police identify AKA, Tibz murder suspects
Police in KwaZulu-Natal say they have identified the suspects who shot and killed rapper AKA and Tibz.
Mkhwanazi says they are building a solid case before they make arrests on this matter.
The list of suspects continues to grow.
File: Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes. (eNCA\Screenshot)
27 February 2024 - Police arrest six suspects
Six suspects were arrested in connection to the murders. They face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, among others.
Police say the arrests include two suspects who were arrested in eSwatini.
Mkhwanazi details how AKA was the main target of the shooting, and not Tibz, who was "at the wrong place at the wrong time".
According to Mkhwanazi, the six suspects played different roles during the operation.
Mkhwanazi said there was a coordinator, two shooters that were seen on saw on social media, two spotters as well as the organiser of firearms and vehicles used as getaways.
The arrest of the seventh suspect follows thereafter.
6 March 2025 - Five suspects return to court
The five men - Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Ndimande - appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court for the murders.
Meanwhile, it's unclear how long the extradition of two other suspects in the murders will take.
However, the then Police Minister Bheki Cele says it doesn't look like there are any stumbling blocks to the extradition from eSwatini.
12 March 2024 - Ndimande brothers' case postponed
The Ndimande brothers appeared in court in Manzini in eSwatini. They were arrested in the capital Mbabane.
Prosecutors at the time said they were still waiting for an extradition application that could take up to three to six months.
Siyabonga Ndimande and Melusi Ndimande appeared briefly in the Manzini Magistrate's Court in Eswatini.
19 March 2024 - SA requests extradition of two suspects in Eswatini
The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that Minister Ronald Lamola has approved and transmitted a request by South Africa to the Kingdom of Eswatini, for the extradition of the Ndimande brothers.
15 May 2024 - AKA, Tibz murder-accused denied bail
Five men accused of killing rapper AKA and his friend Tibz have been denied bail.
They appeared in the Durban magistrate's court earlier.
29 November 2024 - Ndimande brothers granted leave to appeal extradition
Ndimande brothers were given leave to appeal their extradition from Eswatini. The State has indicated that investigations are nearing completion.
15 January 2025 - Fresh bail of two accused denied bail
Gwabeni and Lindokuhle , the two suspects accused for the murder of AKA and Tibz' denied bail again.
This was heard at the Durban Magistrate's Court. The two had filed a Notice of Motion for bail, citing new developments in the case.
12 June 2025 - Murder suspects in court for pre-trial hearings
Five suspects are back in court. The Durban High Court will convene for a pre-trial conference.
One of the main issues will be setting a trial date. Impacting that will be the pending extradition of two additional suspects arrested in Eswatini.
13 August 2025 - AKA and Tibz murder case postponed to 2026
The pre-trial hearing of five suspects postponed until 19 June 2026.
In court, issues around witness statements were discussed between the state and the defence teams.
Ndimande brothers remain in custody in Eswatini, with their delayed extradition continuing to stall the trial.
30 October 2025 - Kubayi hails progress in extraditing AKA's alleged killers
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has welcomed confirmation that the Ndimande brothers have withdrawn their appeal against extradition from Eswatini.
The brothers abandoned their bid to stay in the kingdom, bringing South Africa closer to securing their return.
6 November 2025 - Ndimande brothers to be extradited at last
The Ndimande brothers will soon return to South Africa to face the music for their alleged part in the murders.
10 November 2025 - SA gets official extradition order from Eswatini
South Africa has received the official extradition order from Eswatini for the Ndimande brothers. The pair will join five other accused in the dock for the 2023 murder.
11 November 2025 - Ndimande brothers arrive in SA under heavy polcie guard, AKA's father speaks out
The Ndimande brothers have returned to South Africa.
The brothers appeared in court on Tuesday. They arrived at King Shaka International Airport under heavy police guard.
Mkhwanazi said this level of security was necessary, given the high-profile nature of the case.
As the country witnesses their return, the late musician’s father says he still has one burning question: Who commissioned the hit on his son?
The brothers appeared in court the same day. The want to stand trial alongside five other co-accused in the murders. The duo's case has been postponed to 25 November.