AKA’s frantic call before Anele Tembe’s death revealed at inquest
· The South African
A hotel employee told the Anele Tembe inquest that rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes frantically called for security shortly before she heard a scream and a loud bang.
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The Cape Town Magistrate’s Court heard the testimony on Monday, 7 September, as it began examining the circumstances surrounding Tembe’s death.
Six witnesses took the stand on the first day, including two police officers, hotel staff and a neighbour.
Tembe, 22, died after falling from the 10th floor of Cape Town’s Pepperclub Hotel on 11 April 2021.
Hotel worker recalls AKA’s frantic call
A Pepperclub employee told the court that Forbes phoned the hotel and urgently asked staff to send security after telling her that someone stood on the balcony.
She recognised Forbes’ voice from his previous stays at the hotel and remained on the line with him. Moments later, she heard a scream followed by a loud bang.
A colleague looked outside and saw Tembe on the ground below. The employee and security staff then rushed outside to help her.
Neighbour heard heated argument
Neighbour Robert Stefanutto told the court that he heard a man and woman arguing near the hotel that morning, with the exchange becoming more heated before he heard a woman tell someone to leave her alone and get away from her.
Moments later, Stefanutto heard wailing and a loud bang.
He went downstairs after spotting someone on the pavement outside the hotel and found Tembe still alive.
While waiting for emergency services, he spoke to her and asked her to blink if she could hear him. Stefanutto told the court that she did.
Police reveal what they found in hotel room
Two police officers also described the scene inside the hotel room where Forbes and Tembe had stayed.
One officer told the court that the room appeared disordered, with what looked like blood on the bedding, towels and around a champagne bottle. Police also found a chair and cigarette butts on the balcony.
The officer said Forbes told police that he and Tembe had argued during the night.
He added that Forbes did not appear physically injured, although he could smell alcohol on him.
Court examines circumstances around Tembe’s death
The inquest comes more than five years after Tembe’s death.
Police investigated the incident before prosecutors referred the matter for a formal inquest.
The inquest does not constitute a criminal trial.
Instead, the court will examine the evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding Tembe’s death and determine whether anyone may have acted unlawfully or negligently.
The court will hear further evidence as the inquest continues.