AKA and Tibz Murder Case: State Proposes 2026 Trial Dates And Two Sessions

• The state shared tentative trial dates in the Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane murder case
• On Thursday, 24 July 2025, the state disclosed that it wants the murder trial of Tibz and AKA's alleged killers to run in two sessions
• The state shared the evidence that it intends to introduce during the trial and its plans to call 45 witnesses

The state has revealed when they expect the men accused of murdering beloved rapper AKA and his friend, celebrity chef Tibz, to go on trial. The tentative trial dates were revealed during proceedings at the Durban Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 24 July 2025.

The pretrial conference proceedings in the AKA and Tibz murder case were expected to resume at the Durban Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 24 July 2025. Five men are accused of murdering Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane outside a restaurant in Durban. No pretrial conference proceedings took place when the five men appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 24 July 2025.

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State proposes 2026 trial dates in AKA and Tibz murder case

According to a report by IOL, the pretrial proceedings were postponed to 13 August 2025 after Judge Jacqueline Henriques refused to certify the matter trial-ready, advising the State and defence to get their houses in order and get the proposed dates certified by KwaZulu-Natal judge president Thoba Poyo-Dlwati.

Prosecutor Advocate Elvis Gcweka told the court that they want the trial to run into two sessions, starting in July, and then in October 2026. He said the State has lined up 45 witnesses to take the stand when the trial finally kicks off.

In terms of evidence, the State will present ballistics, bank statements, CCTV footage, motor vehicle car trackers and witness statements.

Advocate Jimmy Howse, who is representing Lindani Ndimande, asked the State to provide the defence with witness statements of the additional witnesses that were not named by the State to avoid an ambush at trial.

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AKA and Tibz murder case resumes at the Durban Magistrate's Court

State closes Senzo Meyiwa murder trial after 3 years

While the AKA and Tibz murder case has faced setbacks and twists, the state has concluded proceedings in another high-profile case

The state decided to close the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. With the state having closed its case, the attention now shifts to the defence. The accused can testify or call their own as well as the State's witnesses to argue that the prosecution has not proven its case.

Despite these options, the defence lawyers announced that they intend to apply for the charges against their clients to be dropped.

The murder accused Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli have maintained their innocence throughout the trial.

AKA and Riky Rick's mothers hang out

In other news, Briefly News reported that AKA's mother, Lynn Forbes and Riky Rick's mother, Louisa Zondo, recently linked up.

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AKA's mom posted a picture of their recent meetup on social media.

The philanthropist, who turned 57 in July 2025, posted about how she had met Riky Rick's mother back in 2018 when they went to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.

Forbes has also mentioned the pain they felt when they had lost their sons one year apart, and how they have been going strong together ever since.

Source: Briefly News