Anele Tembe's father, Moses Tembe, has once again denied allegations that his daughter committed suicide by throwing herself from a high-rise hotel after a heated argument with her fiance, alias Keenan Forbes (real name Keenan Forbes).
The Durban businessman spoke for the first time about his daughter's death in an interview with SABC News on April 11, 2021.
The Tembe family had previously suggested there was “foul play” following the tragedy. They are also challenging the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s decision not to prosecute anyone following Anel's death – Forbes.
Two years later, on February 10, 2023, AKA was shot and killed in Durban.
Seven men have been charged with the rapper's murder, while her death is being investigated by an inquest.
Anele Tembe's father Moses speaks about his daughter's death
On the third anniversary of Anele Tembe's death this week, Moses Tembe reflected on his own grief and the inquest into his daughter's death.
Speaking to SABC's Criselda Lewis, the businesswoman denied allegations that Anele was suicidal or that she jumped to her death from the 10th floor balcony of Cape Town's Pepper Club Hotel.
At the time, Anele was accompanying the rapper to a weekend gig in the city. After her AKA's death, by her own admission, her couple had a heated argument just before her AKA collapsed.
A video circulating on social media showed Anel's half-naked body lying on the road as paramedics tried to save her life.
Moses said: “To see your daughter lying there covered in tinfoil. It was a traumatic experience.
“I didn't know any details other than that she had fallen…Anele loved her life. She respected herself. I knew her plans and she I knew how much I was looking forward to the next chapter.
“She didn't want to get naked and throw herself away.”
He added, “I had a feeling there was going to be some kind of foul play.''
Why didn't the NPA prosecute anyone?
Mr Moses added that the Tembe family wanted AKA, who was the last person to meet and speak to Anele Tembe, “to step into the box as a witness or a suspect”. He added that they had hoped that the NPA's prosecution would bring the case to an end.
However, just days after AKA's murder last year, the NPA issued a statement justifying its decision not to prosecute anyone.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Nicolette Bell said the NPA had not brought charges after taking an “informed decision” based on “an extensive investigation carried out by the South African Police Service under the guidance of the NPA”. It has been decided not to do so. ” included “several expert opinions and forensic reports.”
Instead, the DDP referred the matter to an inquest.
The inquest was later adjourned after the Tembe family challenged the NPA's decision.
The matter is scheduled for formal hearing in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court from April 15, 2024, according to Western Cape Police spokesperson Captain Frederic van Wyk.
Drug abuse or suicide?
At his funeral in 2021, Moses Tembe disputed social media reports that Anele committed suicide.
In his speech he said: A story that is pervasive and pervasive in some circles, and which frustrates me to no end as a father, is that my daughter Anele was chronically suicidal or had suicidal tendencies. ”
“As Anele's father, I hereby state that Anele was not suicidal and did not commit suicide. Everyone, we need to understand the forces that put us in this situation. .
Instead, Moses hinted at drug abuse.
He continued: “Of course, as a top priority, we must address the scourge that afflicts young people: alcohol and drugs.”
In an interview with Bar Leader TV a month after Anele's death, AKA reportedly claimed that Anele's partner suffered from depression and had attempted suicide multiple times. did.
Regarding her past attempts, he said: “In my past with Anele, it was not the first time she had attempted something like that (self-harm) or threatened to do so. She did it in this house and over the phone. I went…
“She also threatened to drive her car into a wall and had to be talked to from a ledge at the Hilton in Durban.”
