Anele Tembe’s Family Chooses Silence to Protect Both Families From Further Trauma

• The Tembe family made a firm decision to stay silent as the inquest into Anele Tembe's death resumed
• Their vow of silence comes as the case continues to attract significant public attention in Mzansi
• This comes nearly five years after Nelli's tragic death, with her family choosing silence as a means to avoid deepening the trauma suffered by the affected families

The family of the late Anele Tembe has made a deliberate choice to keep quiet as the inquest into her death gets back underway, drawing fresh attention to one of South Africa's most closely watched legal proceedings.

The Tembes confirmed their position as the inquest resumed, opting not to speak publicly about the ongoing process. The family's silence signals a considered approach to navigating what has become an emotionally charged and high-profile case.

Anele Tembe, the fiancée of late South African rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes), died on 11 April 2021 after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town. Both AKA and Anele were 22 and 35 years old, respectively, at the time of her death. AKA was fatally shot in Durban in February 2023, before the inquest into Anele's passing could be completed.

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The inquest started at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday, 7 September 2026.

Tembes welcome the inquest

According to TshisaLIVE, the Tembes welcomed the inquest and acknowledged the evidence brought forward by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the witnesses.

Briefly News reported on a witness' account of the day Anele fell to her death. Rob Steffanutto, who was among the first to reach Tembe after her fatal fall, delivered one of the most gripping testimonies heard during the ongoing inquest into her death.

Steffanutto, who had no prior connection to either the Tembe or Forbes families, told the court that a loud altercation between a man and a woman drew him out onto his terrace on the night of the tragedy. He said the sounds were so alarming that he initially believed someone outside was being robbed.

The statement from the Tembes further emphasised their decision to refrain from making further comments regarding the case.

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"The family resolved to respect the inquest process by not commenting on proceedings under way. The family felt it would be inhumane to say anything that deepens the trauma suffered by the survivors of both families."

The inquest proceedings are expected to continue on 8 and 9 September, and resume on 15 and 16 September.

AKA murder suspects' court behaviour raises questions

In an earlier report, Briefly News shared online reactions to footage taken in court, showing AKA's murder suspects interacting in an almost jovial manner.

The clip quickly drew strong reactions from South Africans who were troubled by the mood on display inside the courtroom, considering the gravity of the case.

Source: Briefly News