Anele Tembe inquest begins: Screams, a balcony and the moments after her death - IOL

Witnesses in the Anele Tembe inquest have revealed new details about the argument with fiancé Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, the screams and loud bang heard before her fatal fall, and the unusual request for tequila shots after her death.

The long-awaited inquest into the death of Anele Tembe got under way in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court this week, with two days of testimony shedding new light on the events surrounding her fatal fall from a hotel balcony in 2021.

The proceedings, which began on Monday and resumed on Wednesday, heard accounts of an argument between Tembe and her fiancé, the late rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes, as well as the moments immediately before and after her death.

The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Tembe’s death and whether anyone can be held responsible. It is expected to hear evidence from between 20 and 30 witnesses when proceedings resume next month.

Among the evidence heard this week were accounts of screaming and shouting from the couple’s hotel room, AKA’s calls for security and the aftermath of Tembe’s fall from the 10th floor of the Pepper Club Hotel.

During proceedings, an order was delivered by the magistrate that no livestreaming, filming, recording, or naming of the witnesses was allowed, unless the witnesses consented to it.

The first bits of evidence confirmed the couple were arguing on the day Tembe died; several witnesses reported screaming and shouting coming from their room. 

One witness testified she heard hysterical screams from the couple's room. She said within minutes of the woman shouting “leave me alone”, there was a loud bang. Thereafter, she heard a man screaming.

Another witness, a guest at the hotel, also took the stand and said he recognised the late rapper on the balcony of his room as he frequented the hotel. 

He further testified he heard a woman scream and heard a bang. He thought it was a vehicle accident; however, when he went out on his balcony, he saw Tembe’s body on the ground.

The court heard that AKA had gone out to the balcony as if he was looking for somebody, leaned over the railing, and saw Tembe’s body on the ground. The court heard AKA shout: “Oh my God”. The witness told the court he called for an ambulance after the incident.

Testimony in court was that during the argument, Tembe threw her engagement ring at AKA, prompting the rapper to go to a separate room.

An employee of the Pepper Club Hotel also testified that AKA had called the front desk, seeking security because someone was on the balcony. 

The court also heard from the hotel’s general manager, who confirmed the couple’s room was left in disarray after the incident. 

The general manager testified he also intervened when he heard a drinks order being placed for AKA and members of his entourage after Tembe’s fall. 

Tequila shots were ordered for the room.

The manager told the court he declined the order, taking into account the horrible incident, and that he did not find it appropriate at the time. 

While AKA did not react to the manager’s decision, the court heard that the late rapper was seen to be “unhappy” about it. 

A guest at the hotel corroborated this, as she was having breakfast and overheard the order for alcohol for the room. The woman testified she was seated near reception and could hear the order as it was being repeated by a staff member.

The witness also described feeling confused about the order, knowing what had just happened. 

The manager also testified that he heard AKA say he wanted to give police a statement while the events were still fresh in his memory. 

A police officer previously described AKA’s demeanour after the incident as ‘fine’, but added that he had spoken to people who react differently during times like these; some cry, others sit still or are emotional. He said people deal with stress differently.

The Forbes and Tembe families did not attend the inquest hearings, but Tembe’s family has a legal representative in court to follow the proceedings. 

The inquest has been postponed until October 19 to hear more witnesses. 

AKA was gunned down on Florida Road in Durban on February 10, 2023. The rapper, along with his friend, celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, was killed outside the Wish restaurant.

Seven suspects have since been linked to the assassination and remain behind bars.