AKA-Tibz murder trial delayed again as judge expresses frustration
via The Citizen3 min read
The murder trial of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and businessman Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane has been postponed, with the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban granting more time for pre-trial matters. All seven accused, including Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimane, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Mkhwanazi, Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande, and Malusi Dave Ndimande, appeared together for the first time on June 11. The Ndimande brothers were recently extradited from eSwatini. The defense cited difficulties in preparing for the trial, including restricted consultation times at eBongweni Correctional Centre, where three clients are held, and limited telephonic communication. Advocate Simphiwe Cyril Mlotshwa requested his clients be transferred to Westville Correctional Centre for more effective consultation. Presiding Judge Thoba Poyo-Dlwati expressed frustration over the delays, questioning why these issues were not raised earlier. The state prosecutor, Lawrence Gcaba, revealed that the defense had contacted the Department of Correctional Services regarding detention conditions and threatened legal action. The matter has been postponed to August 13 to finalize the pre-trial conference, with the trial now scheduled to run from October 5 to November 8, 2026. The accused face charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal firearms and ammunition offenses, and money laundering for four of the men. Five accused were denied
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A skills development program in Diepsloot, South Africa, is tackling the country's youth unemployment crisis by providing practical training and work experience. Non-profit organization Afrika Tikkun highlights the critical need for such interventions, noting that nearly 4.7 million young South Africans are unemployed, with the youth unemployment rate at almost 61%. At Green Acres Farm in Diepsloot, an Afrika Tikkun agripreneurship initiative, 30 local candidates receive hands-on agricultural training, earn an income, and gain workplace experience. Farm manager Ryan Geere explains that participants learn crop production, irrigation management, record-keeping, fertilization schedules, and livestock care, alongside workplace processes like documentation, data collection, production planning, and teamwork. Afrika Tikkun Group CEO Marc Lubner emphasizes that intervening when young people are already job seekers is "too little, too late," advocating for their "Cradle-to-Career 360° model" which supports individuals from early childhood development through to skills training and employment placement. Over the past eight years, the organization has facilitated 24,081 work placements and produced 19,033 economically productive alumni. The agripreneurship program also addresses food insecurity by teaching affordable farming techniques that participants can replicate at home, potentially improving household food production and creating self-employment opportunities within their communi
Three ANC members, Lwazi Rotya, Sinethemba Mpande, and Nompumelelo Mzothwa, are facing suspension and disciplinary action after twice taking the party to court, including interdicting the Eastern Cape elective conference in March. Their lawyers are challenging these pending suspensions, which they view as vindictive. The trio recently sought to nullify the party’s interim provincial task team PTT in the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda, arguing its appointment undermined a court order and attacked the judiciary. The PTT was established by Luthuli House to replace the expired provincial executive committee and address internal disputes. The lawyers have written to PTT coordinator Helen Sauls-August, demanding the withdrawal of the suspension notices, dated June 4, or face legal action. They argue the suspensions violate the ANC constitution's Rules 25.56 and 25.57.5, which require a reasonable opportunity for response. The lawyers also reminded Sauls-August of pending contempt of court proceedings against the ANC and its officials for violating court orders and failing to disclose raw data. They contend that the PTT's existence undermines their clients' rights as ANC members and that the ANC is in contempt of court for refusing to honor an undertaking to disclose data. The lawyers also accuse the ANC of perjury and forgery, alleging the party manufactured fake executive committee meeting minutes to justify its case. They assert that the ANC's actions constitute multiple bre
The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development has urged officials and the public to collaborate in combating the increasing rates of femicide and child abuse. MEC Bukiwe Fanta reported that department statistics show 60 women were killed since January, and 3,168 child abuse cases were reported. These child abuse cases include 35 abandoned children, 1,328 sexual abuse cases, 153 emotional abuse cases, and 279 physical abuse cases. The Alfred Nzo municipality recorded the highest number of sexual abuse cases with 366, followed by OR Tambo district with 362, Nelson Mandela metro with 278, and Chris Hani district with 136. The MEC expressed shock over the brutal murder and rape of women in Dudula and Masakala villages, highlighting that six women have died due to gender-based violence in Matatiele since April. Fanta described the violence as a national crisis fueled by toxic masculinity, societal indifference, and systemic inequalities. The department is committed to addressing this crisis by strengthening support systems for survivors, providing legal, psychological, and emotional care. Fanta called on communities to break the silence, foster a culture where victims feel safe to report abuse, and support survivors. She emphasized the importance of education and awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes and instill values of respect, consent, and equality. Fanta also stressed the need for swift action against perpetrators, ensuring they face the full weight of the law.