The tragic love story between AKA – real name Kiernan Forbes – and his fiancée Anele Tembe continues to make headlines after both their deaths.
While Anele’s death will be revisited in an inquest later this month, seven men who carried out a hit on AKA are facing charges of murder in the Durban Magistrates Court.
Thursday, 11 April, marks the third anniversary of Anele’s death after she fell to her death off the 10th floor of a Cape Town hotel while in the company of her partner. It’s also a little over 14 months since AKA alongside friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane was shot and in Durban
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ANELE TEMBE AND AKA: STRANGE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THEIR DEATHS?
On the X platform, many users have pointed out the uncanny similarities between Anele Tembe and AKA’s deaths, which happened two years apart.
Both died on the street
According to police reports, 22-year-old Anele fell to her death on 11 April from her Pepper Club Hotel balcony, located on the corners of Loop and Bloem Street, in the Cape Town city centre.
AKA was shot and killed outside Wish Restaurant on Florida Road.
Mysterious murder?
According to police, two men walked up to AKA and his friend Tebello Tibz Motsoane and shot them dead. The men then fled the scene.
According to the Citizen, while Anele Tembe’s death was labelled a “suicide investigation” by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the latter also added that it had “elements of suspicion of a murder.”
She died in his hometown, and he died in hers
Anele died in Cape Town, where AKA is originally from. The rapper died in Durban, where Anele was born and raised.
The devil’s in the details?
Anele died on 11 April 2021, while AKA died almost 22 months later to the day. Anele was also 22 years old when she died.
Were feared mafia families involved?
According to allegations made by Anele Tembe’s family, AKA allegedly made a call to “a certain powerful underworld family in the Western Cape.”
Meanwhile, the NPA alleges that Sydney Gcaba – from the notorious KwaZulu-Natal taxi boss family – is linked to the murder of AKA, claims IOL.
INQUEST VS MURDER TRIAL
In the months that followed Anele Tembe’s death, AKA was accused of being involved, a claim he vehemently denied. According to the rapper’s own admission, the couple argued just moments before her death.
After his death, a leaked letter to the NPA revealed how the Tembe family suspected AKA of foul play.
While the NPA decided not to prosecute anyone, namely AKA, following an inquest, Anele’s family have since made legal representations challenging the decision.
According to Sunday World, the NPA responded with news that Anele’s death would be revisited. They also claimed that the family “made representations” questioning their initial decision not to prosecute anyone following their inquest.
AKA, Anele Nelli Tembe
Slain rapper Kiernan Forbes or AKA and his late fiancee Anele Nelli Tembe. Images via Instagram @akaworldwide
Speaking to The South African, Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk stated that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anele Tembe was never closed and is still active.
He said: “The matter is scheduled for a formal inquest at the Cape Town Magistrates’ court from 15 April 2024.” The inquest is set to indicate whether any criminal offence occurred and if this is the reason for Tembe’s death.
Meanwhile, seven men are facing charges for the murder of AKA and friend Tebello Tibz Motsoane.
Last month, the NPA alleged that Sydney Gcaba – from the notorious KwaZulu-Natal taxi boss family – transferred more than R800 00 to one of the men, deemed the “coordinator” of the hit.
The men will return to the Durban Magistrates Court for their bail application in May.