The Inquest into Anele Tembe’s death has been postponed to 7 September at the Cape Town Magistrate Court.
The 22-year-old Tembe died in April 2021, she fell from the 10th floor of a Cape Town Hotel. Tembe was engaged to the prominent rapper, Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has not ruled out the possibility that a criminal case can be opened in connection with the death of Tembe.
The hearing was due to begin on Monday but could not as the magistrate presiding over the matter was unavailable due to a medical emergency.
The main reason for the inquest is to re-examine the circumstances around Tembe’s death and to see if anyone can be legally held accountable.
Western Cape NPA Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said, “There was an investigation that was done which was inconclusive that led for the matter being referred for an inquest. What will happen is that what comes out of the inquest will be forwarded to the office of the National Prosecuting Authority where it may, depending on the outcome, where they will take a decision to prosecute anyone or not.”
Six witnesses have been subpoenaed to testify with proceedings taking place on 7 to 9 September and 15 to 16 September.
The court is expected to hear evidence from police investigators, forensic experts and witnesses. CCTV footage, cellphone records and witness statements are also expected to form part of the evidence.
The inquest comes after News24 published CCTV footage showing Tembe’s final moments. The footage has raised fresh questions after apparent differences emerged between what some witnesses said and what is shown in the video.
