Police Officer Tells Anele Tembe Inquest What AKA Said After Hotel Fall
A police sergeant who was among the first officers at the Pepperclub Hotel has told an inquest that Kiernan “AKA” Forbes believed his wife Anele Tembe was “just playing around” before her fatal fall.
A police officer who responded to reports of a suicide at Cape Town’s Pepperclub Hotel has testified about what the late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes told him shortly after Anele Tembe fell from the 10th floor.
The sergeant gave evidence on Monday during the inquest proceedings at the Cape Town Magistrates Court.
According to his testimony, the officer met Forbes after arriving at the hotel and was taken to a room where the rapper was with friends. Forbes reportedly wanted to explain what had happened before Tembe’s death.
Forbes’ Account To Police
The officer told the court that Forbes said he and Tembe had been in room 104 and had argued earlier that morning.
According to the sergeant, Forbes said Tembe had told him she intended to jump from the building. He told the officer that he did not initially believe she was serious.
“At that time, he thought maybe she was just playing around.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Police Witness Says AKA Appeared Composed After Anele Tembe’s Death
The officer testified that Forbes said Tembe was already on the balcony when he went to the bathroom.
When he returned, according to the account given to police, Tembe was no longer inside the room or on the balcony. Forbes then looked outside and saw her on the road below.
Police Describe The Hotel Room
The sergeant also told the inquest about the condition of the room when he entered it.
He described it as being in disarray, with linen and alcohol on the floor.
The officer said he initially advised Forbes not to make a formal statement immediately because he appeared emotional following the incident.
However, Forbes insisted on giving his account, telling the officer that he wanted to provide it while the events were still fresh in his memory.
The testimony forms part of the ongoing inquest into Tembe’s death. The evidence presented in the proceedings is subject to consideration as part of the inquest process and does not, by itself, establish criminal liability.
