More than five years after Anele Tembe’s death, the long-awaited inquest into the circumstances surrounding her fatal fall from a Cape Town hotel has returned to the spotlight, with witnesses providing new details about the moments leading up to her death.
Also see: Anele Tembe’s alleged final moments intrigue social media
Anele died on 11 April 2021 after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town. She was with her fiancé at the time, the late rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes.
The formal inquest opened at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 7 September 2026. The proceedings are examining when and how the 22-year-old died and whether her death may have resulted from negligence or unlawful conduct by another person.
Witness recalls screams before fatal fall
One of the most significant details to emerge during the opening day came from a witness who lived approximately 50 to 60 metres from the hotel.
The Sowetan reported that the witness told the court that he heard a woman shouting, “Leave me alone, get away from me,” before hearing a wailing scream and a loud bang. He then heard a man shouting, “My God, my God,” before rushing outside and seeing someone lying in the street.
The witness went to Anele and discovered that she was still moving. He attempted to clear her airway and called emergency services. Paramedics later tried to resuscitate her after she went into cardiac arrest.
Also see: Tony Forbes claps back at Bheki Cele over Anele Tembe case
Police detail what they found inside the hotel room
The court also heard evidence from a police warrant officer who attended the scene.
According to his testimony, AKA told police that he and Anele had argued during the night. Police subsequently entered the hotel room and found it in disarray.
The officer testified that investigators found a champagne bottle with its wrapping removed and the top missing, with what appeared to be blood around it. Bloodstains were also allegedly found on bedding, towels and part of a wall. A chair and cigarette butts were found on the balcony.
A hotel employee separately told the court that she had been speaking to AKA by telephone shortly before hearing a scream followed by a bang. She then ran outside and found Anele on the ground.
CCTV timing also comes under scrutiny
The hotel manager testified that CCTV footage had been downloaded and handed to police for investigation.
The court heard that the recorded time of impact was 07:43. The manager also explained that some of the hotel’s cameras were motion-activated, meaning they only recorded when movement was detected.
Six witnesses testified on the first day of proceedings, including police officers, hotel staff, a neighbour and a person who supplied video footage to investigators. The identities of witnesses have been protected by the court.
The inquest is not a criminal trial, but its findings could determine whether further criminal proceedings are warranted. The inquiry is expected to establish the identity of the deceased, the cause or likely cause of death and whether any act or omission involving a possible crime contributed to the death.
The proceedings continue this week, with further witnesses expected to testify as the court examines the events surrounding Anele’s final hours.
Also see: ‘I know you tried to protect yourself’ – Mbali’s heartfelt note to Anele Tembe
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