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Witnesses heard screams, an argument and a loud bang before Anele Tembe's fatal fall from the hotel’s 10th floor
ZA🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/7/2026

Witnesses heard screams, an argument and a loud bang before Anele Tembe's fatal fall from the hotel’s 10th floor

The inquest into the death of Anele Tembe, who fell from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in 2018, resumed recently with new testimony from multiple witnesses. The court heard accounts of an argument between Tembe and rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes), followed by screams, a loud bang, and Tembe being found injured on the ground. Witnesses included neighbors, hotel employees, and police officers, all providing details about the events leading up to her fall. One neighbor described hearing Tembe shout 'Leave me alone!' before a loud noise, while a hotel employee recounted speaking to Forbes shortly before the incident. Police confirmed they were called to the scene after a possible suicide report and spoke to Forbes, who claimed there had been an argument and that Tembe had threatened to jump.

Anele Tembe's inquest in Cape Town heard that AKA, the late rapper, called the Pepper Club Hotel's reception for security before she fell to her death in April 2021. During the hearing at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court, an order was issued prohibiting livestreaming, filming, or naming of witnesses without their consent. The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Tembe's death and whether anyone can be held responsible. Tembe, who was 22 at the time, was engaged to AKA, whose real name was Kiernan Forbes. Testimony revealed that during an argument, Tembe threw her engagement ring at AKA, prompting him to move to a separate room. A third witness described obtaining footage of Tembe’s fall, though the image was distorted. Another witness recounted hearing a man and woman argue, followed by sobbing and what sounded like a gunshot. He then heard a man shout and ran out of his hotel room to find Tembe’s body lying in the street. An employee at the Pepper Club Hotel testified that a guest had called reception requesting security due to someone on the balcony. Recognizing the caller as AKA, the employee reported hearing a scream and a loud bang during the call. AKA sounded panicked, according to the witness, who later ran outside to see Tembe’s body. Security was requested to cover the body with a sheet. AKA was murdered on February 10, 2023, outside the Wish restaurant in Durban, alongside his friend and chef Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane. The investigation concluded it was a coordinated, well-funded contract killing involving seven individuals, including spotters, vehicle providers, hitmen, and a paymaster. The National Prosecuting Authority initially decided not to prosecute anyone over Tembe's death, leading to the current inquest. AKA’s father, Tony Forbes, expressed confidence that his son did not kill Tembe, citing a long-standing belief that the two had a heated argument lasting hours, with AKA leaving the room temporarily. He stated that Tembe threatened to jump and fell before he could intervene. The inquest continues with six witnesses subpoenaed to provide testimony, including police investigators, forensic experts, and others. Evidence such as cell phone records, witness statements, and CCTV footage is expected to be presented.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

6 reports

Mail & Guardian logoMail & GuardianIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 859/7/2026
Witnesses heard screams, an argument and a loud bang before Anele Tembe's fatal fall from the hotel’s 10th floor

The inquest into the death of Anele Tembe, who fell from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in 2018, resumed recently with new testimony from multiple witnesses. The court heard accounts of an argument between Tembe and rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes), followed by screams, a loud bang, and Tembe being found injured on the ground. Witnesses included neighbors, hotel employees, and police officers, all providing details about the events leading up to her fall. One neighbor described hearing Tembe shout 'Leave me alone!' before a loud noise, while a hotel employee recounted speaking to Forbes shortly before the incident. Police confirmed they were called to the scene after a possible suicide report and spoke to Forbes, who claimed there had been an argument and that Tembe had threatened to jump.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual testimony from various witnesses without overtly favoring any side. It includes perspectives from both private individuals and official sources such as police officers and hotel staff, offering a balanced view of the events leading to Tembe's death. There is no clear slm

Why factuality (88): This article corroborates the timeline and sequence of events described in the Daily Maverick article, including the argument, the loud bang, and the witness's observation of Tembe's condition. It also mentions multiple witnesses and the inquest process, supporting the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting facts without overt emotional language or bias. It focuses on the procedural aspects of the inquest and the testimonies given.

Daily Maverick logoDaily MaverickIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/7/2026
INQUEST: ‘She blinked at me’ — witness recounts finding Anele Tembe alive after fall

A witness testified at the inquest into the death of Anele Tembe, a 22-year-old chef and aspiring businesswoman, who fell from the 10th floor of a Cape Town hotel in 2021. Robert Stefanutto described hearing a heated argument between Tembe and her boyfriend, rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes, before witnessing her fall. Initially thought dead, Tembe was found alive by Stefanutto, who provided first aid until emergency services arrived. Police later reported the hotel room was in disarray, supporting Forbes' claim that their argument over Tembe's father pressuring her to marry had escalated. The inquest continues to determine whether the incident was accidental or intentional.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual recounting of the inquest proceedings without overt ideological slant. It reports on the legal process and testimonies without favoring any political perspective. The focus remains on the event itself rather than political implications, maintaining a balanced narrative

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed testimony from Robert Stefanutto, a witness who claimed to see Anele Tembe alive after her fall. It aligns with the cross-source consensus that Tembe fell from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel and that there was an argument preceding the incident. However, it does

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the witness's account in a relatively neutral manner, though it uses emotionally charged language such as 'she blinked at me' which may imply significance. There is no evident bias toward any party involved.

News24 logoNews24IndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 859/7/2026
‘Leave me alone, get away from me’: Witness testifies about Anele Tembe’s final moments

The article reports on the testimony of witness Rob Steffanutto during an inquest into the death of Anele Tembe in Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. Steffanutto described Tembe’s final moments, including his distress and plea for others to 'leave me alone, get away from me.' The testimony provides insight into the circumstances surrounding Tembe’s death but does not elaborate on the broader implications or context beyond the immediate event.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a witness's testimony during a legal inquest. There is no evident ideological framing or emphasis on specific political narratives. The focus remains on the procedural aspects of the inquest rather than advocating for any particular political stance.

Why factuality (80): The article summarizes the testimony of Rob Steffanutto, similar to the Daily Maverick piece, but lacks some specific details. It aligns with the cross-source consensus regarding the events leading up to Tembe's fall and the inquest proceedings.

Why objectivity (85): The article is presented in a neutral tone, focusing on the witness's account without injecting personal opinion or emotional language. It appears to be a straightforward summary of the testimony.

IOL (Independent Online) logoIOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenterFactual 80Objective 709/7/2026
Anele Tembe inquest resumes in Cape Town with six witnesses subpoenaed

An inquest into the death of Anele Tembe, a 22-year-old woman who fell from the 10th floor of the Pepper Club Hotel in Cape Town in April 2021, has resumed in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. Six witnesses have been subpoenaed to testify, including police investigators, forensic experts, and others. Evidence such as cell phone records, witness statements, and CCTV footage is expected to be presented. At the time of her death, Tembe was engaged to late rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes), who claimed they had a prolonged argument before she fell from the balcony. AKA was later killed in a contract killing in 2023. AKA’s father, Tony Forbes, maintains his son did not kill Tembe and has dismissed claims of newly discovered evidence related to the incident.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the inquest and includes statements from both legal authorities and AKA’s family without overtly favoring one side. There is no clear ideological framing or biased language, and the content focuses on procedural aspects of the case rather than taking a

Why factuality (80): The article provides a comprehensive overview of the inquest, including the location, date, and background of the case. It accurately states that the NPA decided not to prosecute and refers the matter for an inquest. It includes quotes from AKA's family, which are consistent with other reports. The

Why objectivity (70): While the article presents information objectively, it includes quotes from AKA's family that may reflect their perspective rather than an impartial view. The structure emphasizes the family's stance, which could be seen as slightly biased towards the family's position.

IOL (Independent Online) logoIOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenterFactual 75Objective 659/7/2026
Anele Tembe inquest hears AKA called hotel reception for security

The inquest into the death of Anele Tembe, who was engaged to late rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes), heard testimony that AKA contacted the Pepper Club Hotel's reception for security before she fell to her death in April 2021. During the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court proceedings, several witnesses described the events leading up to the incident, including an argument between Tembe and AKA, during which she reportedly threw her engagement ring at him. Witnesses also recounted hearing arguments, sobbing, and a gunshot-like sound before seeing Tembe's body. A hotel employee testified that AKA sounded panicked during a phone call with staff. AKA was later murdered in 2023 in a coordinated contract killing. The inquest continued with further testimonies.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual accounts from multiple witnesses regarding the circumstances surrounding Anele Tembe's death and AKA's involvement. There is no overt ideological framing or emphasis on specific political perspectives. The focus remains on the legal process and the sequence of events, as

Why factuality (75): The article provides details about the inquest, including the claim that AKA called the hotel reception for security, which aligns with the cross-source consensus. It mentions the engagement ring being thrown and the argument between Tembe and AKA, which are commonly reported aspects. However, it la

Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'fall to her death' and 'heated argument,' which may influence reader perception. While it presents facts neutrally, the emphasis on certain elements like the engagement ring and the argument suggests a narrative focus, potentially affecting obje

News24 logoNews24IndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 559/7/2026
LIVE | ‘AKA was panicking on the phone’: Witness tells Tembe inquest about final call

The formal inquest into the death of 22-year-old Anele Tembe began at the Cape Town magistrates' court. A witness testified during the proceedings, describing how AKA was 'panicking on the phone' during their final conversation. The inquest aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding Tembe's death, which has drawn significant public attention. No further details about the incident or the witness's account were provided in the available text.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a legal proceeding involving a high-profile individual (AKA), but does not exhibit clear ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided sourcing. It focuses on the procedural aspect of the inquest without taking a stance on the broader implications or assigning blame.

Why factuality (60): This article is incomplete and appears cut off mid-sentence. It references a witness claiming AKA was panicking on the phone, which is a common report in other sources. However, due to the lack of full text, it's difficult to assess accuracy fully. The mention of the inquest starting is consistent w

Why objectivity (55): The title and opening paragraph suggest a sensationalized angle with phrases like 'Discover the Truth' and 'Show Comments ( )', which may indicate a biased approach. The incomplete nature of the article also makes it harder to evaluate for neutrality.

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