In April 2021, the tragic death of Anele Tembe sent shockwaves through South Africa. The young woman fell from the 10th floor of a hotel balcony in Cape Town, leading to speculation about the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise.
A heated argument with her fiance, Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, was said to have preceded the incident.
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However, Anele’s father, Moses Tembe, has vehemently denied these allegations. In a recent interview with SABC News, he spoke out for the first time about his daughter’s death and dismissed claims that she had taken her own life.
According to Moses, Anele was a vibrant and ambitious young woman who had plans for the future. He insisted that she would never have stripped naked and thrown herself off a balcony.
Moses said: “To see your daughter lying there, covered in foil. It was a traumatic experience.
“We did not have any other details than that she had fallen…Anele loved her life. She respected herself. I knew her plans, how much she was looking forward to the next chapter.
“She would not strip naked and throw herself.”
He added: “One got a sense that there could be some foul play.”
The Tembe family has expressed their dissatisfaction with the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision not to prosecute anyone, including AKA, in connection with Anele’s death. They have hinted at the possibility of foul play and have been seeking closure through legal means.
Unfortunately, their hopes were further shattered when AKA himself was tragically killed in an alleged hit two years later.
While the investigation into Anele’s death is ongoing, seven men have been charged with the murder of the rapper. The Tembe family had hoped that AKA would be a key witness or even a suspect in their pursuit of justice.
The NPA’s decision not to pursue prosecution was met with disappointment and frustration from the Tembe family. The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Nicolette Bell, justified the decision, citing an extensive investigation conducted by the South African Police Service and the NPA. This investigation included expert opinions and forensic reports.
Instead of prosecution, the matter was referred for an inquest. However, the inquest has faced delays due to the Tembe family’s challenge to the NPA’s decision. The formal inquest is now scheduled to take place at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court from April 15, 2024.
In the wake of these tragedies, Moses remains resolute. “Our hearts remain so shattered into pieces by the passing of Anele,” he shared. “But having said that, by the grace of God, our hearts are still beating.”
