AKA and Tibz’s Murder Trial Dates Set for July 2026, With Pre-Trial Pushed to June 2026

• The murder trial of rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his celebrity chef friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane has been set for July 2026
• Five men accused of murdering the two personalities appeared at the Durban High Court on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, when it was announced that the pre-trial had been pushed to June 2026
• These five men are Muziwenkosi Harvey Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Ndimande, Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Siyanda Myeza, and Lindani Ndimande

Prominent South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and his celebrity chef friend Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane were gunned down in Durban almost three years ago. The men accused of murdering them appeared at the Durban High Court on Wednesday, 13 August 2025.

The latest developments in their murder case have given fans a bit of hope that their killers will face the full might of the law. The five alleged murderers are Muziwenkosi Harvey Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Ndimande, Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Siyanda Myeza, and Lindani Ndimande.

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Trial date in AKA's murder announced

In July 2024, the state proposed that the murder trial be set for two sessions in 2026. During Wednesday's court appearance, the NPA revealed that the first session of the trial will begin on 20 July 2026 until 21 August 2026, and the second session will begin on 5 October 2026 until 6 November 2026.

The pretrial, which was expected to conclude today, has been postponed to 19 June 2026. According to The Witness, this is to allow for the appointment of a trial judge and to conclude more pre-trial proceedings.

The state is also expected to bring in 45 witnesses to testify when the trial proceeds, reported TimesLIVE.

AKA and Tibz were murdered outside a restaurant in Florida Road on 10 February 2023.

What to know about AKA and Tibz murder case so far

• In total, there are seven men in police custody pertaining to the murder of AKA and Tibz, with two suspects, Siyabonga Ndimande and Malusi Ndimande, having been apprehended in Eswatini
• The Ndimande brothers are expected to face trial in South Africa after the extradition process is completed
• The state is expected to present ballistics, bank statements, CCTV footage, motor vehicle car trackers and witness statements during the trial in 2026
• The South African Police Service (SAPS) Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi revealed during a media briefing that they expect to make more arrests in connection with AKA's death

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AKA and Riky Rick's mothers hang out

In a previous report from Briefly News, AKA's mother, Lynn Forbes, and Riky Rick's mother, Louisa Zondo, recently linked up and hung out at a restaurant.

Lynn Forbs posted a picture of their meetup on social media, sharing a story of how they met in 2018 when they went to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.

"We each lost our son, a year apart, first Rikhado (Riky Rick) and then Kiernan, young kings and friends with powerful voices. We’re still climbing, together. Not always strong, but always resilient. Focused, steady, and committed to preserving their legacies."

Source: Briefly News