{
  "id": 12325697,
  "title": "AKA-Tibz trial: What the media is allowed to report — and what is banned",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/aka-tibz-trial-what-the-media-is-allowed-to-report-and-what-is-banned",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T07:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/2026-10-06-aka-tibz-trial-what-the-media-is-allowed-to-report-and-what-is-banned/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The media covering the trial of Kiernan Forbes and Tebello Motsoane, both rappers, and Tebello's alleged accomplices, have been restricted in their reporting. Judge Sipunzi has issued a directive outlining the limitations on media coverage. The court acknowledges the importance of freedom of expression and open justice, but also the need to protect the rights of witnesses and ensure a fair trial. Journalists are allowed to attend the trial, observe proceedings, and report on the plea, opening and closing statements of the state and defense, arguments presented by counsel, court rulings and orders, and the eventual judgment. However, they cannot disclose the identities or personal details of any witnesses, nor can they publish or broadcast the evidence given by them during testimony, or any exhibits presented in court. The media may only take photographs of the courtroom before proceedings begin each day and after the court has adjourned. The directive can be modified, added to, or varied by further court orders if deemed necessary for the interests of justice. The victims, AKA Forbes and Tebello Motsoane, were killed outside a restaurant in Durban on February 10, 2023. The seven accused men are Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, Lindo Ndimande, and Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, brothers. The Ndimande brothers were extradited from Eswatini last year and face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder, and firearm and ammunition offenses. The trial is scheduled to run from November 6, 2024, to May 14, 2027, excluding November 4, which is election day.",
  "summary": "Journalists covering the murder trial of rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and chef Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane have been barred from naming any witness or reporting what witnesses tell the court.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}