‘INCONSOLABLE’ AFTER FIANCÉE’S TRAGIC DEATH
THE daughter of well-known Durban businessman Moses Tembe was confirmed dead in Cape Town yesterday morning.
Tembe is director of the International Conference Centre, co-chairperson of the KZN Growth Coalition, and director of the Mazibuye Foundation.
Anele “Nellie” Tembe, 22, fiancée of popular rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, died after she allegedly jumped from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel, in Cape Town’s city centre.
The rapper had been scheduled to perform at the Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge on Saturday night.
The hotel’s general manager Efi Ella told media police were investigating “an incident” involving a 22-year-old woman that was reported at around 7.30am yesterday to the hotel, and police were called to the scene.
Western Cape police spokesperson
Captain FC van Wyk said Cape Town Central police were investigating.
Crime-scene experts were looking for clues at the hotel.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said “reports from the scene indicate that a 22-year-old female had allegedly jumped from the 10th floor, landing on the road below”.
“Medics assessed the patient who had sustained critical injuries and was treated on scene by an advanced life support paramedic. While stabilising the patient, her condition rapidly deteriorated and she was sadly declared deceased on the scene,” Herbst said.
Last month, AKA confirmed that he had proposed to Tembe and had paid lobola. The couple made their engagement announcement on Instagram in March, when AKA posted “21/02/21 – love of my life said Yesssss”.
The Tembe and Forbes families confirmed the death in a joint statement, saying AKA was reportedly inconsolable, and surrounded by friends and family.
“It is with the deepest regret that we, the Tembe and Forbes families, confirm the untimely passing of our beloved fiancée, daughter, sister and daughter-in-law, Anele Tembe, 22. Anele tragically passed on in the early hours of this morning, Sunday, April 11, 2021,” read the statement.
“We are still in shock and are dealing with our emotions, as she was an exceptional and gifted young woman, with so much life ahead of her. She had a sweet nature … and was always nurturing to those around her.”
Reports that Tembe had tried to jump from the top floor of the Hilton Hotel in Durban in December last year could not be confirmed.
Scores of fans and local celebrities took to Twitter to express their shock and offer condolences.
Lasizwe Dambuza said “NO WAYS !!!!! ”, while Cassper Nyovest said, “No ways man. This is heavy.”